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In the UK, abortions are free under the NHS. For a Jersey resident, a termination currently costs nearly £200 – with some women accessing food banks because they are using their money to pay off termination charges.
The matter was one of the key concerns raised by patients responding to a consultation on potential changes to the 27-year-old law governing terminations on the island – the results of which were published this week.
While the main aim the was to gather views on potential changes to the law, the feedback ended up uncovering a number of issues with women's healthcare sitting outside of legislation, such as the 'hidden' high cost.
Express took a closer look...
In the UK, abortions are free under the NHS.
But a termination in Jersey currently costs £185 if the person receiving it is entitled to access Government health care.
For those who have not lived or worked in the island for long enough, it costs over £500.
Pictured: The NHS provides for free termination to UK residents, but this does not extend to Jersey residents.
The recent abortion survey found that charges are an issue for those with lower incomes or difficulty accessing money, particularly people liable for the higher charge.
Users are expected to pay for the service in advance, which is not possible for those who cannot afford it.
Payment plans are often set up which leaves islanders paying instalments long after the abortion procedure has taken place.
At least one local charity has seen instances of women accessing food banks because they are using their money to pay off termination charges.
Health professionals claimed that dealing with finances often distracts from and gets in the way of delivering clinical care.
The survey identified barriers to people seeking financial support for termination – including a controlling partner, not being able to tell their partner about their termination, and feelings of shame or embarrassment surrounding abortions.
Survey respondents also raised concerns that women who are victims of sexual violence are still charged for abortions.
“Termination should be free to Jersey residents," said one survey respondent.
"Not everyone can afford over £100 to terminate a pregnancy, especially if they are terminating due to financial pressures.”
Pictured: Number of abortions carried out annually in Jersey from 2000 to 2022. (Government of Jersey)
One islander asked: “If we do not expect a smoker to pay for their lung cancer treatment, why do we expect a woman who is sexually active to pay for her termination?
"It is another misogynistic stab at half of our population, another cost for the 'privilege' of womanhood."
Another described the cost as "problematic" and "potentially shaming to women".
“Charging for terminations is an additional barrier to women accessing healthcare, and seems to suggest that terminations are not being treated as regular healthcare, but are somehow different," they wrote.
“Please make it a free service," pleaded another respondent. "I struggled paying for my termination.”
The current Jersey law requires a person obtaining an abortion to be examined by two doctors.
This does not apply if the termination is immediately necessary to save the person's life.
Pictured: Jersey law requires women seeking an abortion to be examined by at least two doctors.
However, survey respondents expressed worries that the cost of GP appointments may provide an additional barriers to accessing abortions.
It was suggested that women should have direct access to termination centres without the need to see a GP.
One local GP who responded to the survey said: “The cost implication of seeing a GP on top of the cost of a termination may act as deterrent or delay."
Survey respondents also criticised the lack of free contraception in Jersey, as well as issues with accessibility.
“There should be no reason why fertile women cannot access free contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies,” said one respondent.
Another added: "“The Government does not provide free contraception past age 23, therefore should be prepared for unwanted pregnancies which could be increasing with cost of living; [the Government] must think about the quality of life for islanders who cannot afford to have children or medical procedures.”
Education in school and better contraceptive availability were acknowledged as being crucial to remove any reliance on termination as a form of contraception.
“I think women should be better educated on methods of contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies which might lead to terminations,” said one islander.
Another survey respondent said: “The morning after pill should be free and easy to access.
"It can be difficult for a woman to go to pharmacy and answer questions if she is a single parent with children so male sexual partners should also be able to obtain this on behalf of the woman.
"Telephone consults should be available. I believe this would significantly reduce the need for many to consider termination."
Pictured: “There should be no reason why fertile women cannot access free contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies.”
It comes as the NHS announced a major expansion of primary care services which allowed people to access contraception from pharmacies without having to see a GP.
It allows people in England to obtain a first or repeat prescription of the pill by visiting their local pharmacy to provide greater choice over where to get the contraceptive pill and to free up appointments in GP surgeries.
However, in Jersey, islanders are required to visit their GP – and pay for an appointment – or attend a specialist contraception clinic to obtain contraception.
At Le Bas Centre, these services are free of charge to those aged 22 or under. However, for anyone older, prices for certain forms of contraception can be over £100.
Meanwhile, contraception has been free in the UK since 1974 – when a reorganisation of the NHS meant all contraceptive advice and supplies became accessible to all, regardless of marital status.
Pictured: The current prices of different types of contraception at Les Bas Centre.
An islander suggested: “I think better investment in preventing pregnancy through better access to contraception would be good.
"There are long waiting lists for coil insertions and not enough investment in incentivising GPs to do these LARC (long acting reversible contraception) procedures.
"In my opinion all LARC procedures should be free to women at GP, Le Bas and Brook.”
The Government said that the feedback would be used to draft an updated version of the Termination of Pregnancy (Jersey) 1997 Law.
The report and proposition will also set out whether additional funds are required to support service improvements.
Assistant Health Minister, Deputy Andy Howell, said: “I would like to thank everyone who participated in the consultation for their feedback.
"This will help inform the future of this very important issue.”
Although the abortion survey is now closed, a survey on contraceptive services in Jersey is set to run until 21 May 2024.
You can find out more or complete the contraception survey HERE.
There is also a wider survey on the health and wellbeing needs of women and girls in the island.
You can find out more or complete the women's health and wellbeing survey HERE.
FOCUS: Jersey's "lost" gynaecology ward
IN NUMBERS: What do islanders think about Jersey's abortion laws?
Contraception survey launched as local options fall further behind UK
EXPLAINED: How far behind is Jersey's abortion law?
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