Northern Ireland has announced that a permanent abortion “service” will now be established, allowing for the recruitment and training of abortionists.
In 2019, the United Kingdom forced legalized abortion upon Northern Ireland, with the mandate taking effect in 2020. By 2021, the number of abortions had skyrocketed, but the British government wanted an even greater expansion of abortion. However, the BBC has reported that the Northern Ireland Department of Health never established a centrally commissioned rollout of abortion — until now. Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said he had written to the Department of Health confirming the move.
Currently, the abortion pill is available before 10 weeks at all Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts, but on an uncommissioned basis. “The formal commissioning and availability of funding will enable Health and Social Care Trusts to recruit and train staff in the coming months to support the development of sustainable services in Northern Ireland so that a full range of high quality services are available,” a spokesperson said.
Heaton-Harris added, “The UK Government is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring women of Northern Ireland have access to safe, high-quality and local abortion services. As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my officials at the Northern Ireland Office and I will continue to work with the Department of Health and healthcare professionals to ensure a range of abortion services become readily available across all Health and Social Care Trusts in the coming months.”
After abortion was forced upon Northern Ireland, much of the country still remained pro-life. Doctors initially refused to commit abortions, which led the British government to step in to compel an expansion. That led to nearly 2,000 abortions taking place either in Northern Ireland or in Britain, even without Northern Ireland lawmakers implementing or funding any part of the law. Before abortion was legalized there, women from Northern Ireland sought an estimated 1,000 abortions, nearly all in either Britain or Wales.
Officials have estimated that as abortion expands, over 6,000 abortions will be committed in Northern Ireland each year.
