The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) welcomes the report published today by the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV, entitled The Time is Now: Achieving World Class Contraceptive and Abortion Services. The report highlights current inequities in access and provision, and calls for better public information, improved commissioning of services, and the implementation of a workforce development strategy.
Comprehensive information about contraception and abortion remains essential to ensuring informed choice for women. Variation in service provision is of great concern, particularly as women of disadvantaged groups are more likely to be left out. Policy makers, health care providers, PCTs and SHAs all have a role to play in ensuring that contraceptive and abortion services meet high standards and respond to women’s diverse needs.
The RCOG is committed to developing guidelines and standards to ensure high quality care for women. The RCOG evidence-based guideline on induced abortion sets out standards of care for women seeking termination of pregnancy. These guidelines are now being updated to take into account the findings of the most recent health select committee of the House of Commons. Furthermore, our recently published Standards for Gynaecology specifically set standards for the provision of induced abortion and emphasise areas such as patient focus, accessibility, clinical environment, process, audit, staffing and competence.
Contraceptive and abortion services are an integral part of women’s health care. The RCOG supports efforts to ensure equal access for all women to high quality contraceptive and abortion services. It is hoped that the report by the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV will help to promote improved care and more comprehensive options for women.
It is important to recognise that additional investment in workforce and infrastructure is required to fulfil the ambitious objectives of this excellent report. The RCOG looks forward to working with the Department of Health to achieve these objectives.
Reference
RCOG, The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion, September 2004. Available online at http://www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/care-women-requesting-induced-abortion.
RCOG, Standards for Gynaecology: Report of a Working Party, June 2008. Available online at http://www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/uploaded-files/WPRGynStandards2008.pdf.