Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has undertaken an assessment of the potential effect on the wellbeing of NHS nursing staff of their involvement in the provision of late-term abortions; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has not undertaken an assessment of the potential effect on the wellbeing of National Health Service nursing staff of their involvement in the provision of late-term abortions. There is provision within the Abortion Act 1967 which provides for conscientious objection to participating in any treatment in the case of abortion. All employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. It is for abortion providers to ensure that appropriate training, support and, if needed, counselling is available for all staff performing late term abortion.