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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Monday, 5 December 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 December 2016. It was answered by Lord Prior of Brampton (Conservative) on Monday, 19 December 2016 on behalf of the Department of Health.


Abortion

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 1 December (HL3359), how many registered medical practitioners have been reported for suspected violations of the Abortion Regulations 1991, having failed to report terminations within the 14-day period, in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Answer

The Department does not hold a record of how many letters have been sent out in each of the last five years.

The Department has not reported to the police any incidents of suspected violation of the Act and Regulations relating to Registered Medical Practitioners terminating a pregnancy who have not given notice in form HSA4 to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) within 14 days of the termination. Where HSA4 forms have been submitted late, the Department is working closely with doctors, hospitals/clinics and the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The Department is helping to identify issues with HSA4 submission to support doctors, hospitals and clinics in ensuring that protocols and processes exist internally to ensure the transmission of HSA4 forms meets the legislative framework. The Department currently receives around two-thirds of HSA4 forms electronically and is actively encouraging more doctors to submit HSA4 forms online. Receiving HSA4 forms online reduces the risk of late submission of forms to the CMO.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3793
Session
2016-17
Related items
Abortion
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Written questions
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Disclosure of information Abortion
Legislation
Abortion Regulations 1991
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk