Ministers have missed their self-imposed deadline to put forward plans for an overhaul Jersey’s abortion law which has been described as a “distressing” and “dehumanising” system for patients.
The Government had pledged to put forward updated legislation by the end of 2025, but Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell confirmed to Express this week that the work is still not complete.
“The proposed new termination of pregnancy law is in the process of being drafted,” Deputy Howell said.
“It was scheduled to be lodged by end of 2025, but this has been subject to a slight delay.
“It is anticipated that it will be lodged in late January in order that it may be debated by this Assembly prior to the commencement of the election period.”
The admission comes little over a year after a £10,000 Government-commissioned review exposed widespread problems with Jersey’s abortion service – including long waits, confidentiality fears in a small community, confusing funding processes and barriers for those forced to travel off-island.
The review found that patients often felt stigmatised, poorly informed and unsupported, with some describing the process of seeking financial help as “dehumanising”.
Described by many as “outdated”, Jersey’s Termination of Pregnancy Law dates back to 1997 and has remained largely unchanged for over 25 years.
Abortions are currently limited to 12 weeks and six days on grounds of “distress”, delivered only at the General Hospital on one day a week.
Proposed reforms would remove the distress requirement, reduce the number of mandatory consultations, widen who can provide care and extend the legal limit to 21 weeks and six days – though later-term abortions would still not be available locally except in urgent cases.
While it’s hoped that the matter will be voted on before June’s election, Deputy Howel said that proposals for the new law will be subject to review by Scrutiny politicians, which will ultimately dictate the date of the States Assembly debate.