Leitrim abortion campaigners are welcoming reports that full termination of pregnancy services at Sligo University Hospital are now available to women.
It's understood that the Saolta-run hospital has begun to provide a full range of care as outlined in the 2018 Act.
Previously, the hospital provide limited abortion services where a pregnancy posed a risk to life or health, or an emergency, or in the case of a fatal foetal abnormality.
Just under 30 women with an address in Leitrim accessed abortion services in 2020 and it's believed that some of them may have had to seek treatment in either Galway, Mayo or even in Mullingar.
Good morning #Sligo : #BreakingNews ABORTION Services have started in Sligo hospital and some GPs in Sligo are beginning to provide TOP services and will be on the my Options register.We've have been WAITING for @HSELive to release an official statement on this matter
— S.A.R.R.A (@SARRASligo) April 26, 2022
Bernie Linnane believes it is very important women in the Shannonside region have equal access to healthcare:
"There is a big difference in saying abortion is legal and being able to say abortion is available. If a woman or a pregnant person in the north-west needs an abortion they shouldn't be treated any differently than a person in Dublin requiring the same services.
We are entitled to it by law and it should be available to us in the north-west. We're not second class citizens and we shouldn't be treated like second class citizens."
The Saolta hospital group has issued a statement this evening
Response:
In line with the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 section 12, a primarily community-led service is being delivered by GPs in primary care settings and women’s health service providers, with appropriate access and care pathways to acute hospital services as required.
Sligo University Hospital is providing services under each section of the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Health Act 2018.
