Read on Twitter
Distressing information emerging from @All4Choice about a young woman who couldn’t travel from Belfast to England for an abortion because of #covid19, and subsequently tried to take her own life. She is being cared for now.
@All4Choice is calling on @niexecutive @RobinSwannMoH @healthdpt to act urgently on abortion provision during #covid19
If you are in distress please #talk to someone. Samaritans 24-hour helpline 028 9066 4422 and free Life-line 24-hour helpline 080 8808 800.
So, TEO @niexecutive got back to me with the following response!A spokesperson for The Executive Office said: “It will be a matter in the first instance for the Health Minister to bring this issue before the Executive.”
So, now I’ve gone back to @healthdpt @RobinSwannMoH
Northern Ireland is now the only UK region NOT to extend the abortion pills at home option to its citizens facing a crisis pregnancy during #covid19 @niexecutive @healthdpt @RobinSwannMoH
Hi @RobinSwannMoH it’s 24 hrs+ since I was passed from The Executive Office press office back to @healthdpt press office. I still have nothing decisive to report. What are you doing about crisis pregnancy in NI? Scotland, England & Wales have already answered their citizens.
The #Stormont Health Comittee meets tomorrow which is an opportunity for the minister to answer questions from colleagues on this matter. We should then know more then about what emergency provisions there will be for British, Irish and other citizens in the north/NI.
New: @sinnfeinireland health spokesman @GildernewColm will raise and support remote medical supervision for women who cannot attend GP practices because of current restrictions #covid19
AP’s P Bradshaw ask Health Min about abortion during #COVID19 Says “it’s a cross cutting sensitive issue in NI...and not one solely for @healthdpt” Says a paper will be presented to the Executive tomorrow. PB says it rests solely with RS. 2 suicide attempts this week. Urgent
People Before Profit’s Gerry Carroll echoes what Paula Bradshaw has said. He tells @healthdpt minister women must be able to access abortion pills. #covid19
SF’s O Flynn also says emergency measures for abortion needs to addressed. @healthdpt @RobinSwannMoH #covid19
It’s not always possible to get all info into tweets so here is a more fullsome version of what was said at Stormont’s Health Committee today on abortion provision during #covid19 https://www.facebook.com/402568099848220/posts/2585427998228875/?d=n
Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry says emergency provision for abortion is not a matter for the @niexecutive It is a matter for @healthdpt @RobinSwannMoH https://twitter.com/stephenfarrymp/status/1245665081582649344?s=21 https://twitter.com/StephenFarryMP/status/1245665081582649344
Yesterday the Health Minister said he would be presenting a paper to the Executive on abortion today. I contacted TEO to ask did that happen, what happens next and what is the timescale for resolving this issue. TEO says it has referred my query to @healthdpt press office.
https://twitter.com/stephenfarrymp/status/1246162444738859009?s=21 https://twitter.com/StephenFarryMP/status/1246162444738859009
Emma makes a series of valid points here https://twitter.com/enrobso19/status/1246425252332212225?s=21 https://twitter.com/enrobso19/status/1246425252332212225
@niexecutive @healthdpt @RobinSwannMoH https://twitter.com/challengesni/status/1246763161065328640?s=21
#DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart ‘has voiced strong opposition to calls from the pro- #abortion lobby to allow for home abortions, saying such a move would be against the will of the people of NI, add risk to the wellbeing of mothers and added pressure on our health service’
I spoke to @healthdpt press office just now to highlight my frustration at being sent back and forward between The Executive Office and Health. Apparently my query will be answered “in due course”
I’ve received this statement from @healthdpt which is the same as a statement from last week. It doesn’t answer my latest questions on whether the minister brought the promised paper to the Executive, what’s happening next etc. For what it is worth here ya go
@All4Choice in Belfast and Derry “will openly facilitate women and pregnant people’s access to telemedicine in NI, with our partners Women on Web and Women Help Women, until the @NIOgov and our local @healthdpt decides to end their continued breach of human rights”
NEW: It’s understood the @niexecutive was split today on telemedicine provision - DUP opposed, Health Minister abstained, rest in favour. Understood Attorney General is trying to make case they can’t legally designate homes as ‘appropriate place’ 4 abortion pills to be taken.
https://twitter.com/stephenfarrymp/status/1247225673346924547?s=21 https://twitter.com/StephenFarryMP/status/1247225673346924547
Report for Reuters https://twitter.com/amandafbelfast/status/1247585937967714308?s=21 https://twitter.com/AmandaFBelfast/status/1247585937967714308
Correct. They were. Expect legal action soon.
Also if this matter is being dealt with “urgently” I wouldn’t want to see what the non urgent action looks like. https://twitter.com/bbcjaynemcc/status/1248123958890815493?s=21 https://twitter.com/BBCJayneMcC/status/1248123958890815493
@GreenPartyNI @ClareBaileyGPNI welcomes @bpas1968 stepping in to assist but this still needs resolved locally @healthdpt @RobinSwannMoH
@NIHRC has advised @healthdpt and @niexecutive to take immediate steps to ensure that women and girls have access to termination of pregnancy services. ‘Time is not what women and girls have.’
https://twitter.com/paulajaneb/status/1248209918819254273?s=21 https://twitter.com/PaulaJaneB/status/1248209918819254273
Clarification on SDLP MLA position
Strongly worded letter about the provision of abortion from @GreenPartyNI leader @ClareBaileyGPNI - who is “considering next steps” - to @healthdpt @RobinSwannMoH
Statement from #Stormont’s Department of Health on abortion provision (which doesn’t answer who told trusts not to start services but the dept has nothing further to add).
NEW! Former director of the Royal College of Midwives in Northern Ireland Breedagh Hughes said “There is cause for celebration but we need clarity.”
NEW “The fight for abortion rights in Northern Ireland has not ended.” @GreenPartyNI @ClareBaileyGPNI
Northern Ireland authorities give green light to abortion services, though questions remain https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-britain-nireland-abortion/northern-ireland-authorities-give-green-light-to-abortion-services-idUKKCN21R2XG
I’m posting all this in this thread along side published work. Some questions for @uuponline @healthdpt Health Minister Robin Swann @RobinSwannMoH
