New abortion law to allow 22-week terminations

Jersey politicians have passed a new termination of pregnancy law that allows abortions before 22 weeks.

The current law does not allow abortions beyond 12 weeks unless there is a severe foetal anomaly.

Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell, who brought the law to the assembly, said: "I think it just gives women longer to think about the decision they have got to make.

"It's the most difficult decision they are likely to make and sometimes they need more time to make that decision, but I would urge people that if they know they are pregnant, if they can have early treatment then it's the safest."

The change to the limit was approved by a vote of 44 in favour and two against.

Some politicians were opposed to abortions still being charged for with that part of the new law being approved by a single vote.

It means it will remain a charged for service except for under-18s, students, rape victims and those on income support.

Under the current law an abortion can only be performed if the pregnancy is under 12 weeks along and two doctors confirm the woman is in distress.

But the new law will allow abortions up to 22 weeks and remove current barriers.

Those entitled to government health care would pay £185 for an abortion, while those who are not would pay £511.

In the UK abortions are free on the NHS and Howell defended the decision to charge for the service.

"We are doing a review of the contraception services and the termination of pregnancy and it's all related to women's reproductive health and at the moment its chargeable but we are reviewing it," she said.

While there was broad support for the law across the assembly, some argued that Jersey was approving an already out of date law.

Deputy Montfort Tadier voted for the law but said: "My concern is we are proposing a termination of pregnancy law that is already out of date.

"We are selling this law as great progress but actually we are behind what the UK is allowing at the moment, they have a 24-week limit.

"We are reducing that and saying after that it has to be severe foetal anomaly."

Deputy Lucy Stephenson told the BBC after the vote that she wanted to see the 22-week limit increased.

"Particularly in cases where there is a foetal anomaly identified at the 20-week scan, and really it's to do with the amount of time a woman or couple have to make a decision to proceed with that pregnancy or not.

"It doesn't give them very many days before the law changes and it steps into a different category of termination, and I would like to see them have a bit more space and opportunity for tests to be run to seek support and counselling and really make an informed decision."

Howell said of the 22-week limit: "It was a decision that was thought about and considered very carefully, it was thought that was the edge of viability of life, the time that a foetus wouldn't be able to survive if it was born."

No planned date for the introduction of the new law, which will need Royal Assent, was mentioned.

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