Women seeking abortions face ‘cruel’ delays due to NHS funding row

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Women seeking abortions are facing “cruel” delays because they are being blocked from choosing where they can get treatment, it has been warned. Dr Jonathan Lord, the medical director of MSI Reproductive Choices, told The Independent that the “complex and heavily bureaucratic rules” result in patients being forced to use their sole local provider or to travel long distances to a service run by that same provider elsewhere. Dr Lord, whose organisation works with every NHS funding body in the country, said another reason a patient may not want to use their local abortion provider is that they have had a difficult experience there or because the service does not provide the type of healthcare they want. She added: “Women have the right to choose what abortion treatment they would prefer, and where possible, should also have the right to choose where they receive care.” Kerry Abel, chair of Abortion Rights, a UK campaign group, said abortion was a common and safe procedure so it was “imperative” that those who chose to have one can get them in a timely manner without added stress.