How to Access an Abortion in Northern Ireland

Accessing Abortion in Northern Ireland                                                  

Please beware of some judgmental crisis pregnancy agencies whose websites, social media, or advertisements you may come across.

For Non-directive Crisis Pregnancy Counselling Contact: informingchoicesni.org or call 028 9031 6100 (Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm)

***Update from Informing Choices Northern Ireland October 2021:

From 1 October 2021 Informing Choices will withdraw their central access point into early medical abortion services. The service has operated outside of a commissioned framework for 18 months. As a small charity with a limited resources, is this placed considerable pressures on the organazation. ICNI previously warned the service could not continue unless interim funding was secured whilst the commissioning of services was underway. Regretfully additional funding has not been provided by the Department of Health. Therefore, it is with deep reluctance that we have no option but to take this action.

ICNI are extremely proud of the role we played to ensure that early medical abortion services were accessible in Northern Ireland and will continue to advocate for the urgent commissioning of local available services. We will also continue to support women through difficult times with our pregnancy counseling service. Early medical abortion services remain suspended within the Western Trust. Services are available in all other Trust areas. From Monday 4th October anyone wishing to access services should contact the British pregnancy advisory service on 03457304030.

Contact: Central Access Point helpline

on 028 9031 6100                                      

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.                                                                                       

Leave a message, if necessary, for a return call.                                                    

Staffed by Informing Choices Northern Ireland.

Translation service available

If you can’t travel for an appointment because of Covid-19 restrictions

Free EMA pills are available by post for pregnancies under 10 weeks

Contact: British Pregnancy Advice Service (BPAS) Telemedicine Abortion Service 0300 500 8086                                                                                            

Your suitability will be assessed by a doctor in NI. If eligible, a booking will be made for a telephone consultation and medical assessment. Following your telephone consultation, your treatment pills will be delivered to you. If necessary, the doctor may have to refer you to a local treatment centre in the North instead.

*For Early Medical Abortion (EMA) service for pregnancies 10-12 weeks.

As EMA services for pregnancies of 10-12 weeks are not currently being provided in the North, you will need to contact BPAS if you can travel to England.                    Contact: 0333 2342184 to make an appointment with a funded abortion provider.    To qualify for FREE care/travel: you must reside in N.Ireland with a BT postcode, and be registered with a GP in the North with a BT postcode.

For Abortion services for pregnancies 12 weeks onwards.

Unfortunately as yet there is very little provision of abortion services from 12 weeks of pregnancy onwards in the North. For up-to-date information

Contact: Central Access Point 028 9031 6100 helpline                                  

Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm                                                                                          Staffed by Informing Choices Northern Ireland 

If you are told that you cannot be treated locally there are travel options

Free abortion procedures in Britain

Provided by British registered abortion clinics

Funded by the UK government to cover travel, overnight accommodation if needed, and procedure.

CONTACT:

BPAS Central Booking System 0333 234 2184 

or Marie Stopes UK 0333 234 21.

To qualify for FREE service: you must reside in N.Ireland with a BT postcode, and be registered with a GP in the North with a BT postcode.

Abortion procedures accessible in Ireland

Provided by Health Service Executive (HSE).

CONTACT: myoptions.ie or call 00353 16877044

Costs start from €450.

Health professionals in Northern Ireland can supply information about the above services. Those with a conscientious objection should direct women to where information is available.

For up to date information/details:-                                                            

Informing Choices NI or call 028 9 031 6100                                                                 bpas or call 0300 500 8086 / 0333 234 2184                                                                 Marie Stopes or call 0345 300 8090                                                                            

My Options or call 00353 16877044