People in England and Wales will no longer be criminalised for having an abortion

The co-chairs of Doctors for Choice UK, Jayne Kavanagh and Hayley Webb, write for the BMJ on why the work for decriminalising abortion is not yet done.
It’s a victory that people will no longer be prosecuted for ending their own pregnancies - but legal restrictions such as the requirement for the two doctors for every abortion and arbitrary pregnancy duration limits remain, causing serious infringements on patient-centred care and bodily autonomy.

Doctors for Choice UK statement on NC1

‘We are delighted that amendment NC1 has been passed today, and although this does not take away the suffering that many women and their families have endured due to our archaic abortion law, we are deeply relieved that no other person will face intrusive investigation, prosecution, and imprisonment for ending their own pregnancy. This is a hugely positive step and a real victory for common sense and compassion, however there is still much more to be done. Our abortion law is outdated, harmful, and the threat of prosecution still hangs over healthcare professionals and others who assist access to abortion outside legal stipulations. Doctors for Choice will continue to campaign for the full decriminalisation of abortion for the whole of the UK.’