To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the recent Coroner's verdict in the case of Aisha Chithira, whether his Department will take steps to ensure that clinical staff providing abortion services are fully trained in post-operative observations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the recent Coroner's verdict in the case of Aisha Chithira, if his Department will review the methods used for late-term abortions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the recent Coroner's verdict in the case of Aisha Chithira, if he will ensure that all independent abortion providers give appropriate aftercare to women.

In line with guidelines published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Care Quality Commission regulations health professionals working within abortion services must be appropriately trained and experienced. Abortion service providers should ensure staff have the right competencies, knowledge, qualifications, skills and experience, including where appropriate in post-operation observations, to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all who use the service. The guidelines and regulations are available at the following links:

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/abortion-guideline_web_1.pdf

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations-enforcement/regulation-20-requirements-relating-termination

The methods used for legal late term abortions in England are safe when performed by staff with the relevant skills, training and experience in line with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines.

All independent sector abortion providers must be approved by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and meet the conditions set by the Department’s Required Standard Operating Procedures which are attached. As set out in these procedures, providers are required to have protocols covering the support that should be in place for women following an abortion procedure. Where a pre-existing physical or mental health condition may exist, then the provider must ensure that there are clinical pathways in place for access to appropriate medical back up services, if needed.