NSW health system ‘not capable’ of providing abortions at all public hospitals, advocates say

While abortion is decriminalised in NSW, just three of the state’s 220 public hospitals are providing it, despite the World Health Organization recommending all public hospitals do so. Photograph: JohnnyGreig/Getty Images

Even if the New South Wales government were to order all public hospitals to fulfil their obligation to provide abortion, the state’s public health system would not be capable of doing so as too many doctors are untrained or opposed, a leading reproductive choice charity says.

The managing director of Marie Stopes International (MSI) Australia, Greg Johnson, said some abortion care could be provided by GPs and other health professionals in primary care settings, but a significant proportion was surgical and required day hospital admission.