Telemedical Abortions

Baroness Prosser Excerpts

Wednesday 12th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I certainly can confirm that, and I am grateful to the noble Lord for emphasising the point. Two doctors have to certify that in their opinion, the abortion meets the grounds of the Abortion Act. For a telemedical abortion, the doctor must also certify that in their opinion the pregnancy has not exceeded 10 weeks at the time when the first pill is taken. Let me also say that, if there are any concerns, the woman will be asked to attend an in-person appointment.

[Baroness Prosser (Lab)]

My Lords, can the Minister ensure that, whatever the umbrella of this legislation is, it will cover women in a variety of circumstances? We all know that, unfortunately, many women live in situations where they do not have much control over their own lives. There is also, of course, the circumstance where a woman might happily find herself pregnant, only to discover a couple of months later that something else has happened and it is going to be a disaster. We need to ensure that, whatever the different circumstances that women might find themselves in, the legislation will enable them to access whatever is right for them and their families.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My Lords, I do understand the point my noble friend makes. I can indeed assure your Lordships’ House that, while the Abortion Act is at the heart of this, we have other Acts of Parliament and, as I said at the outset, it is right that Parliament makes that decision. In addition to the groups my noble friend refers to, we commissioned, for example, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to develop new safeguarding guidance for children and young people under 18 who are accessing medical abortion services, so we understand her concern and are acting on it.

HIV: Late Diagnosis

Baroness Prosser Excerpts

Monday 1st December 2014 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Prosser]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take in 2015 to support a reduction in late HIV diagnoses in England.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con)]

My Lords, late diagnosis of HIV in the UK is declining, but 42% of people were diagnosed late in 2013. This is still too high and that is why we continue to include it in the public health outcomes framework.

Implementation of the sexual health improvement framework in England will help to reduce late diagnosis. The Department of Health funds HIV Prevention England, which continues to promote HIV testing, including leading on National HIV Testing Week and piloting the use of self-sampling tests.

[Baroness Prosser (Lab)]

I thank the noble Earl for that reply. Even in areas of high prevalence of infection, research has found that only 30% of patients are being tested for HIV in line with national testing guidelines—for example, when registering with a GP or being admitted via a hospital’s general medical admissions. Will the Minister have discussions with the Local Government Association—the body, as he no doubt knows, which is now responsible for public health—and agree a strategy to increase routine HIV testing in those high-prevalence areas, in line with those guidelines?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, local authorities have an important part to play in the battle against HIV and AIDS. They are mandated to commission open access sexual health services, and that means that people can self-refer to the service of their choice, regardless of its location. However, as the noble Baroness will know, this is an issue that goes beyond local authorities. The key message from National HIV Testing Week, which was last week, was that we should all take responsibility for reducing HIV transmission, and that those who feel they may be at risk should take an HIV test.

The testing taking place in sexual health clinics in 2013 was up on the year before. We are seeing very good work with, for example, African faith leaders, and we have also piloted national HIV self-sampling services, which undoubtedly have a great utility for those who are too embarrassed to go to a clinic.