MPs vote to continue at-home abortion care service introduced during lockdown

MPs voted to continue at home abortion care on Wednesday

(Picture: Getty Images)

MPs have voted to make early at home abortion care permanent following a vote in the Commons on Wednesday.

The House of Commons voted 215 to 188 against Government policy which called for the end of the use of telemedicine services from August.

Care at home abortion pills were introduced during the pandemic and will now be retained for use in England after the Lords tabled an amendment to the Health and Care Bill.

Conservative peer Baroness Sugg brought the amendment forward and said she was delighted following the vote.

She said: “Delighted is an understatement. Thank you to all the MPs who voted in favour of supporting women to access their choice of healthcare in a safe and effective way.

“Thank you to all the women, medical experts, women’s groups & campaigners who made the case and made this happen.”

Speaking in the Commons, Tory MP for Sevenoaks Laura Trott said: “It's what women want, this honestly is a matter for human dignity, for women's dignity. It will make a huge difference to a lot of women.”

"It's what women want... this honestly is a matter for human dignity, for women's dignity"

Conservative MP Laura Trott urges colleagues to vote in favour of at-home early abortion services continuing in Englandhttps://t.co/plvJjPcH1G pic.twitter.com/Rv7BcCHJnD

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 30, 2022

Due to the lockdown, women could use of telemedicine services in order to access early medical abortion care at home by using “pills by post”.

Under the measure, women wanting to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks old can request abortion pills following a consultation with a doctor.

Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting also said: “I am glad that the Commons voted to continue to allow women access to telemedicine abortion service, which provide fast and safe access for women. It was a free vote and I voted in favour.”

Labour MP Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome added: “At home early medical abortions can help reduce waiting times and remove barriers like travel and childcare.

“They were a lifeline to many throughout the pandemic. That shouldn't stop now. I voted to make telemedical abortion a permanent option.”