Sexual Health D&G
0345 702 3687 weekdays 8.30am - 4.30pm

Abortion

abortion

Unplanned pregnancies are very common, with 1 in 5 resulting in termination of pregnancy. This can be a difficult decision to make at what can be a very emotional time.

The nurses and doctors at Sexual Health D&G are there to talk over the options with you. This includes discussing the long term implications, both physical and emotional, and considering practical matters such as what method of contraception you will use in the future.

Video
This 4 minute video from NHS Lothian explains what happens when a young person is thinking of an abortion. Please note that in Dumfries and Galloway the sexual health clinic do not carry out scans or give the abortion medication. You will be referred to a clinic at the hospital for this.

If you wish to be referred for a termination, the doctor or nurse will book you a hospital appointment and – if possible – give you the details before you leave the clinic.

The Law

The 1967 Abortion Act allows an abortion to be legally performed under certain conditions. Two doctors have to agree that the conditions are met and the law requires that both the referring doctor and the gynaecologist sign a form indicating the grounds for your case.

Abortion is available in Dumfries up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.  If you are 20 weeks pregnant or more, we will to refer you to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). Abortions are carried out under The Abortion Act (Scotland). Abortion in the UK is available up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, provided certain criteria are met.

The criteria are as follows (at least one of them must apply to you):

To obtain a termination, at least one of these criteria must be met.

» Termination of pregnancy leaflet (PDF 894Kb)

» Termination of pregnancy myths leaflet (PDF 1Mb)