The Department of Health’s public consultation on proposed abortion reform has revealed significant support throughout the community.
In a statement accompanying its findings, the Department said there was also overwhelming support for the changes from medical practitioners.
“More than 17,500 survey responses were received during the consultation period, 91 per cent of whom were WA residents. Over 81 per cent of respondents were women,” the Department said.
Among the proposed changes are a reduction in the number of health practitioners required to be involved in care from two to one, and the abolition of the Ministerial Panel requirement for later-term abortions.
The Department said changes would allow health practitioners to conscientiously object, but be required to refer patients to a clinician willing and able to provide care, while mandatory counselling provisions would be removed.
Ministerial approval for a health service to perform late abortions will go, and the feedback also supported the proposal to increase the gestational age at which additional requirements apply to better align with other jurisdictions.
Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson said abortion was a critical component of women’s healthcare, and the Government was working to remove unnecessary restrictions on accessing that care in Western Australia.
“I’d like to thank the many thousands of Western Australians who took part in the consultation to share their views on the key issues ahead of the drafting of this significant reform,” Ms Sanderson said.
“It is clear that just like the Government, the public and medical practitioners recognise the time has come for change, and we look forward to delivering this for Western Australian women.”
The Department said the public feedback was now being considered by the Government ahead of the introduction of legislation.
The full 9-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
