Medical Council updates ethical guide to avert conflict

Medical Council confirmed its Ethics Working Group is continuing to work on ethical guide

Irish Medical Times

Valerie Ryan

The Medical Council has deleted four paragraphs of its ethical guide and amended another to remove “any conflict” with the newly introduced legis­lation facilitating for the medical termination of pregnancy. . . [T]he Council confirmed its Ethics Working Group is continuing to work on the Guide. . . . [Full text]

‘We had a very short interval’: Some practitioners concerned over timing of abortion services

Some hospitals are waiting for the system to be fully up and running before providing the service.

thejournal.ie

Zuzia Whelan

MEMBERS OF THE Institute of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – the national training body for obstetricians and gynaecologists  — have raised concerns about the short length of time between signing and enactment of legislation for abortion services in Ireland. 

Speaking on Morning Ireland, director Dr Cliona Murphy expressed the institution’s wish that there had been a longer lead-in time for hospitals instead of the 1 January deadline imposed by the Minister for Health. . . [Full text

Overburdened GPs won’t sign up for abortion says doctor

The Irish Catholic

Chai Brady

Large numbers of GPs are not signing up to be part of abortion provision because of the “disdain” they have been shown by Government as well as, or because of, their pro-life stance, according to a Kerry-based general practitioner.

So far under 10% of Ireland’s GPs have agreed to perform medical abortions since the legislation was implemented. . . [Full text]

Doctors express concern over termination services amid fears of ‘risks’ to patients’ safety

The issues were raised at an extraordinary general of the institute this evening

thejournal.ie

Stephen McDermott

MEMBERS OF THE Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have expressed concerns over the roll-out of services to terminate pregnancies in Ireland.

The issues were raised at an extraordinary general meeting of the institute – which is the national training body for obstetricians and gynaecologists in Ireland – this evening . . .[Full text]

More haste, less care in Minister’s rush to start abortion services

Bad preparation has left health professionals with little guidance, training and resources

The Irish Times

Paul Cullen

The first week of abortion services in Ireland will not go down as model of good organisation, clear communication and open disclosure. 

The very opposite: eight days into the new regime, health professionals are still operating with insufficient information and guidance, and little training.  The rest of us have been kept in the dark about what services are available, and where. . . . [Full text]