David Amess MP forces release of Essex abortion figures (From Southend Standard)

David Amess MP forces release of Essex abortion figures

12:10pm Friday 26th June 2009

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NEWLY-RELEASED figures from the county’s health trusts reveal for the first time the number of Essex women who have had abortions.

The figures have been published in response to pressure from Southend West MP David Amess, a prominent Roman Catholic, who wants the abortion law tightened.

“If a woman feels an abortion is in her best interests, she should have access to safe, supportive and non-judgmental advice and help from an expert. We always support a woman’s right to choose .”

Amanda Barlow, of NHS South West Essex

Across the whole of Essex, 5,438 women and girls had abortions in 2008 – with 110 girls under 16 and 535 under 18 opting for the procedure.

Broken down by primary care trust area, the figures show more than twice as many women in south west Essex had terminations than in the north east of the county.

NHS South West Essex cares for a total of 420,000 patients in the Basildon district and Thurrock and Brentwood boroughs. It performed 1,611 abortions in 2008, the most of any Essex trust area. The trust also reported the highest number of terminations for girls under 16 – a total of 36.

The second highest number of underage girls having abortions was in NHS South East Essex’s area, covering Rochford district and Southend and Castle Point boroughs. Some 24 girls under 15 had terminations.

The trust, which cares for about 342,500 patients, recorded the third highest overall number of abortions, 1,048, only slightly fewer than the West Essex trust total of 1,087.

The figures were collated and published in response to a written Parliamentary question by MP David Amess, a father-of-five, who wants the 24-week legal abortion limit to be lowered,.

He said: “I think the figures speak for themselves. My views on abortion are a matter of public record since I was first elected to Parliament. I much regret when any abortion is necessary, let alone the huge numbers which are carried out today.”

Trusts record statistics by age group and NHS South West Essex figures show the greatest number of women having abortions last year were aged between 19 and 22.

Amanda Barlow, trust spokes-man, stresses the totals have to be considered in the context of a large overall patient-base. She said: “To compare these figures accurately, they need to be expressed in terms of the number of abortions per 1,000 women.

“When you compare the number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, NHS South West Essex has a ratio of 18.8 in every 1,000, compared to the national average of 17.8 in every 1,000. Compared in these terms, the figures for South West Essex are not the highest in Essex.”

Using the same yardstick, South East Essex had a rate of 18 terminations for every 1,000 female residents aged 15 to 44.

But NHS South East Essex points out its most recent figures for women conceiving under the age of 18 show a pronounced reduction – down 26 per cent since 1998.

The trust is now offering contraceptive and sexual health advice six days a week, plus help with contraceptives. It is also encouraging young people not to start having sex too young.

Chris Clark, Southend’s teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, said: “We are doing our best to make sure we cut the number of unwanted pregnancies, but we want to make sure young people know they have a choice. Teenagers have options. We need to see them early to support them and help them make their decision. Just as important is to make sure they get the right sort of contraception.”

Next month, secondary schools across the county will play host to plays and workshops, aimed at sending out the right messages about unprotected casual sex, the risks of unprotected sex and relationships in general.

In Southend, the Focus youth centre, in Short Street, is hosting drop-in sessions to encourage young people to get information on safer sex and access to health services.

While accepting prevention is the best option, health authorities are keen to emphasise if a woman decides to have an abortion, she deserves support.

Amanda Barlow, of NHS South West Essex, added: “If a woman feels an abortion is in her best interests, she should have access to safe, supportive and non-judgmental advice and help from an expert. We always support a woman’s right to choose .”

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