Abortion law reform proposed in NSW after Orange hospital 'ban'

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The proposed change has been triggered by a temporary suspension of certain abortions at Orange, NSW. Sources have told the ABC the withdrawal of termination services happened during discussions about resourcing, waitlists and the need for local clinical guidelines.

Transcript

00:00Women in NSW have had access to abortions for decades, but it isn't mandatory for hospitals

00:08to offer them.

00:09We've heard absolutely heart-wrenching stories of people being turned away from public hospitals.

00:15Dr. Amanda Conn wants to change that.

00:17I'm very proud to introduce the Abortion Law Reform Amendment Health Care Access Bill.

00:22The Greens' MLC has put forward a legislative amendment requiring almost every hospital

00:27to offer abortions.

00:29Smaller health services would be exempt, but district managers would have to ensure

00:33terminations were available within a reasonable distance.

00:37Far too many people are being sent away to find services themselves rather than being

00:42shown where they can access care.

00:45The bill would also require health districts to provide publicly available information

00:49about what abortion services were accessible.

00:53Women's health advocates are backing the changes.

00:56The idea of putting forward reform that's actually quite transformational, to move us

01:01forward rather than fight for where we are, is what we need.

01:05The proposed change has been triggered by the temporary suspension of certain abortions

01:09in Orange.

01:11Sources have told the ABC the withdrawal of these termination services happened during

01:15discussions about resourcing, waitlists and the need for local clinical guidelines.

01:21The Western Local Health District said revised guidelines are expected to be implemented

01:26shortly.

01:27I think we can always do better in terms of providing that additional information and

01:30ensuring that communities, and especially women, know what is available.

01:35If the amendment passes the Upper House, it will need enough support in the Lower House

01:40to become law.

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