Our Work
Abortion Language Guide
At Doctors for Choice UK, Abortion Talk and BSACP, we hear all too often about the impact of stigmatising, unclear and euphemistic language on people seeking abortion care. We have produced a language guide which provides clear, non-euphemistic and value-neutral recommended alternatives.
DfC UK responses
Doctors for Choice UK statement on the Crime and Policing Bill
Octorber 2025
We celebrate that a significant majority of MPs voted to decriminalise anyone ending their own pregnancy. It is a matter of urgency that harmful investigations and prosecutions end immediately and completely. However, we recognise that the limited reform provided by the Crime and Policing Bill represents a compromise, and also acknowledege the serious concerns many have about the bill itself and the hurt felt by those speaking up for communities and stakeholders who will be disproportionately impacted by parts of this legislation.
The BMJ: Opinion
June 2025
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
June 2025
‘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 Our abortion law is outdated, harmful, and the threat of prosecution still hangs over healthcare professionals and others who assist access to abortion outside legal stipulations.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.’
Response to the court case of a woman accused of illegal abortion, cleared by a jury in Isleworth Crown Court
May 2025
As our hearts go out to the latest victim of our archaic and cruel abortion laws, we renew our calls for the urgent decriminalisation of abortion in Britain. We are also dismayed by the gross violation of confidentiality shown by a healthcare professional in this case, who instead of acting with compassion, and with respect to this basic principle, picked up the phone to the police.
Doctors for Choice UK: Statement on the crisis in Gaza
June 2024
We are grateful to the panellists at our conference who used their voice and platform to bring attention to the situation in Palestine and wanted to use this opportunity to share our thoughts on this issue, as health professionals and reproductive justice advocates.
We welcome the new RCOG guidance for healthcare professionals on involving the police following abortion and pregnancy loss.
Jan 2024
The guidance makes it clear that health professionals should not report patients suspected of having an illegal abortion to the police, and states that it is never in
the public interest to report someone for
having an abortion.
Statement in response to the jailing of a woman for 28 months for taking abortion pills
Jun 2023
It is an absolute disgrace that in the UK today a woman has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for procuring her own abortion. UK abortion law is woefully outdated, shameful and dangerous.
Response to increased abortion rates E&W
Jul 2023
Statistics have shown that abortion rates have increased in the UK in recent years. The Department of Health reported 214,256 abortions in England and Wales in 2021 (1), the highest annual number since the introduction of the Abortion Act in 1967 and the beginning of data collection.
Roe v Wade Supreme court ruling
Jun 2022
DfCUK is devastated by the truly awful news from the US. Read our response and find out what more you can do to help.
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
Aug 2020
Doctors for Choice UK welcomes the plans to make NIPT available on the NHS and indeed any intervention that enhances and widens reproductive and healthcare choice.
Abortion "reversal" pill
A recent openDemocracy investigation shows that US-based extremist Christian groups are supporting doctors in the UK to prescribe the so-called "abortion reversal pill", a scam that is not evidence-based and potentially harmful. This is a shocking example of doctors putting ideology before their duty of care.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is a safe and effective way of delivering abortion care that improves access and saves the NHS money. But the regulations allowing this new model are under threat. Follow our campaign to see how you can help us #Keeptelemedicine in a post-pandemic world.
Position statements
Conscientious objection
Decriminalisation
Fetal abnormality
Sex-selective abortion
Workforce and training
Time limits
Undergraduate education
Gender, language, and inclusion
Submissions to formal consultations
July 2023
Doctors for Choice UK response to increased abortion rates in England and Wales
May 2021
Response to the consultation on the SFIAA bill in NI
Feb 2021
Response to the UK government's consultation on the home use of both pills for early medical abortion
Feb 2021
Response to the Welsh government's consultation on the termination of pregnancy arrangements in Wales
Dec 2020
Response to the Scottish government's consultation on telemedicine
June 2018
Letter to MPs about abortion access in Northern Ireland
Jan 2018
Home Office consultation: abortion clinic protests
Dec 2019
Response to the consultation on new regulatory regime in Northern Ireland
Mar 2018
House of Lords Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) Bill
Dec 2018
Response to the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into NI Abortion Law
Feb 2018
Department for Education consultation: changes to SRE and PSHE