Dangerous new laws currently passing through the House of Lords would allow doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical workers to refuse care to patients having abortions.
If the bill is passed, help could be refused at any point in the process, from administration to aftercare. Clare Murphy, director of external affairs at lead non-profit abortion provider BPAS, said the bill would allow nurses to "refuse to bring a woman a glass of water because she has had an abortion".
Personal control of our bodies during pregnancy, including the right to abortion, is a hard-won right upheld by the law in the UK. Abortions without proper care are notoriously risky and potentially devastating. Safe abortion care and aftercare is therefore integral to medical duty of care.
Labour has said it will oppose its passage through the House of Lords, but the Conservatives have so far refused to take a stand.
The Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) Bill has already passed its second reading in the House of Lords, meaning it may soon be put before MPs in Parliament. Please sign this urgent petition to demand that PM Theresa May and Conservative MPs commit to voting against the Bill if it reaches parliament.
PM Theresa May and Conservative MPs:
The Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Lords. This Bill would allow medical workers to refuse care to patients having abortions. Abortions are legal in the UK, and therefore safe abortions are part of the duty of medical care. Labour have committed to opposing the Bill. and it's time for the Conservatives to do the same.
[Your comments]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
