But although the region now has the most liberal abortion law in the UK, access to abortion is still far from solved. The lack of services in Northern Ireland means that pregnant patients must still travel to England if they want to access abortion care. Over the past decade patients, doctors, and campaigners have expressed concern about the increase of anti-abortion protests outside clinics. Their presence is distressing not only to patients accessing abortion care but also to those seeking healthcare after sexual assault or miscarriage or in other circumstances. The big question is whether the overturning of Roe v Wade poses a credible threat to abortion rights here in the UK.

Source: The Times August 17, 2022 09:12 UTC