GP leaders welcome ‘long overdue’ change in abortion law

The RCGP and BMA have welcomed the ‘long overdue’ changes of abortion laws in England and Wales following a vote in Parliament yesterday.

MPs voted to ‘decriminalise’ abortion in an amendment to the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, ensuring that women who have an abortion outside of the legal framework no longer face the threat of prosecution with a maximum sentence of life.

The amendment, put forward by Labour backbencher Tonia Antoniazzi, carried with 379 MPs voting in favour and 137 against.

RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne called the step in reproductive rights ‘really positive’ and added that the college had called for this change since 2019.

She said: ‘Many GPs will have been highly concerned to see high profile cases in recent years where women have been investigated or brought to trial for pregnancy terminations, or unexpected and unexplained pregnancy losses, when what they needed most was support through what will likely be an incredibly difficult time.

‘No woman should face prosecution under antiquated laws that were created before women were even allowed to vote. This change in the law is a vital piece of protection for the reproductive and health rights of women’

The BMA also welcomed the changes to the ‘antiquated abortion law’.

BMA medical ethics committee deputy chair Dr Ed Frew said: ‘The passing of this amendment is a significant and long overdue step towards reforming antiquated abortion law in England and Wales.

‘Women seeking an abortion can be in an incredibly vulnerable situation. They need access to timely and good quality healthcare and support, not to face questions from the police and threatened with prosecution and up to a lifetime in prison.

‘The BMA has long been of the view that abortion is a healthcare matter, not one for the police and the criminal courts – this amendment and vote goes some way to recognising this.

‘Beyond this bill we will continue to push for wider reform of abortion law – including campaigning for the removal of criminal sanctions for medical professionals involved in abortions as part of their clinical practice and the removal of criteria for an abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy.’

The framework for legal termination of a pregnancy will remain the same, including the need for two doctors to sign off an abortion, and the time limits at which terminations can be carried out (up to 24 weeks).

Doctors who assist in abortions outside of these terms will still face the threat of prosecution.

The change in law came after a growing number of women had been investigated, arrested and prosecuted for having abortions.

Earlier this year, researchers suggested that a ‘significant increase’ in the proportion of women having abortions using natural methods such as period tracking apps to prevent pregnancy could be due to issues in contraception access.

In 2024, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists released guidance that told doctors not to report suspected illegal abortions to the police.

NHS England also set out plans to improving access to abortion services as providers faced rising levels of demand.