Plans to overhaul Jersey’s abortion law will not include financial support for islanders forced to travel off-island for a termination – unless their case is deemed “medically necessary”.
Abortions beyond 12 weeks and six days are not currently available in Jersey – and this will remain the case under proposed changes to the island’s Termination of Pregnancy Law.
If approved, the new law would make it legal for islanders to have an abortion for any reason up to 21 weeks and six days of pregnancy.
But it emerged that terminations beyond 12 weeks and six days would still not be available locally – even if the law changes – as health staff in Jersey are unwilling to perform elective abortions beyond this threshold.
And Express has now learned that islanders seeking terminations after the 13-week mark will have to travel off-island at their own expense, unless their case is deemed “medically necessary”.
This could cost up to £1,500 for the procedure alone, and the patient will also have to cover their own travel costs.
The proposed changes to the law state: “Where a service cannot be, or is not, provided in Jersey, the Minister is under no obligation to pay, or make arrangements, for Jersey residents to access the service in another country.”
I would like reassurances that young girls who need terminations after the 12 week on-island availability, will not be forced to go through with an unwanted pregnancy due to lack of funds
Deputy Louise Doublet
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell said that she hopes the law changes will “take the stigma away” from abortions.
“Perhaps at some stage we may be able to provide them [abortions] on-island [after 12 weeks],” she added.
The National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service prices private abortions in the UK at:
- £85 for initial consultation
- £360 for early medical abortion (pill) – up to 10 weeks gestation
- £600 for surgical abortion – up to 14 weeks gestation
- £770 for surgical abortion – from 14 weeks up to 19 weeks gestation
- £1,500 for surgical abortion – from 19 weeks up to 24 weeks gestation
An abortion in Jersey currently costs £185 for those entitled to healthcare in the island, and £511 for those who are not.
Certain groups are exempt from the charges – including those who are under 18, full-time students, on income support, where pregnancy is a result of rape or incest, and where fees have been waived upon outcome of an appeals process.
However, under the new law, these groups will have to pay to travel off-island for an abortion after the 13-week threshold.
Deputy Louise Doublet, who chairs the Health Scrutiny Panel, said: “I would like reassurances that young girls who need terminations after the 12 week on-island availability, will not be forced to go through with an unwanted pregnancy due to lack of funds.
“However, I think it is even more important that children receive adequate and age- appropriate Relationships, Sex and Health Education, and that schools are fully supported with the resources and funds to provide this.”
GET IN TOUCH…
Are you an islander who has had to travel off-island for an abortion? Did you face financial or emotional hurdles accessing abortion care outside Jersey?
The Express team is happy to speak in confidence – email editor@bailiwickexpress.com.
