Month: February 2019

Health: The number of GPs who have signed up to provide abortion services has risen to 274, figures show

Pro-choice groups write open letter expressing fear people being left behind

The Irish Times

Paul Cullen

The number of GPs who have signed up to provide abortion services has risen to 274, according to the latest figures from the HSE.

Ten hospitals are also providing the service, which was introduced at the start of January.

However, pro-choice organisations have claimed a lack of progress in implementing abortion, as well as restrictions on services, means it is available only to “a select few”. . . [Full text]

Harris told of fear over abortion ‘barriers’ in rural areas

Irish Examiner

A “sparse” rural abortion service is forcing pregnant women to travel long distances for a termination, pro-choice groups claim.

They also describe the mandatory three-day waiting period for an abortion as “a significant barrier” for rural pregnant women.

The 35 pro-choice groups have written to Health Minister Simon Harris to express their “fear and disappointment” that some women are still unable to access timely abortion care. . . [Full text]

Chamber of Pharmacists warns professionals against incorrect dispensing of Morning After Pill

Malta Independent

Rebekah Cilia

The Chamber of Pharmacists (Kamra tal-Ispizjara) has sent an email to its members stating that there is a standard question protocol that pharmacists must follow when dispensing the Morning After Pill without a prescription.

These guidelines, the email said, are professional tools and should be kept confidential.

The Chamber also noted that pharmacists should avoid engaging in public discussions on social media. “The Chamber reprimands pharmacists who do not uphold such standards bringing the profession to disrepute.” [Full text]

Anti-abortion doctors told not to apply for maternity hospital posts

Holles Street says new posts available only to consultants willing to carry out terminations

The Irish Times

Ronan McGreevy

The National Maternity Hospital (NMH) in Holles Street has confirmed that two recently advertised consultant posts will be available only to doctors willing to carry out abortions.

The NMH has advertised the posts for a consultant anaesthetist and a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology. . . [Full text]

Consent not a defence, court tells body modification artist

BioEdge

Michael Cook

Dr. Evil, a British body modification artist, has been found guilty of three counts of grievous bodily harm for tongue-splitting and nipple removal despite the fact that his clients consented to the procedures.

The argument put forward in court by Dr Evil, aka Brendan McCarthy, was strongly supported in the community. A petition with 13,400 signatures argued “for the right to express ourselves in whatever modified manner we wish in a safe environment”.

Judge Amjad Nawaz ruled that the kind of radical procedures in which Dr Evil specialised were not analogous to tattoos and piercings. . .[Full text]