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Written question asked by Edward Leigh (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 May 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 May 2022. It was answered by Maggie Throup (Conservative) on Friday, 20 May 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Abortion: Analgesics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the findings of research conducted by Dr Stuart Derbyshire, if he will ask the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to update its guidelines on the use of fetal painkillers from 18 weeks gestation prior to an abortion.

Answer

The Department does not set clinical practice. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists considered the issue of fetal pain and awareness in its guidelines ‘The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion’ and ‘Fetal Awareness: Review of Research and Recommendations for Practice’, which are available at the following links:

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/abortion-guideline_web_1.pdf

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/rcogfetalawarenesswpr0610.pdf

The Royal College is currently reviewing ‘Fetal Awareness: Review and Recommendations for Practice’, independently of Government. The Department has brought Dr Stuart Derbyshire’s research to the attention of the College, which established a review group to consider the latest evidence on fetal pain and fetal awareness. The gathering of evidence for the review is a matter for this group.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
604
Session
2022-23
Related items
Abortion: Analgesics
Thursday, 6 October 2022
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Abortion Pain Research Analgesics Foetuses
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk