DHSS-Nurses / Royal College of Nursing (RCN) case on prostaglandin induced late abortions: press cuttings

Copies of press cuttings on legal case and arguments concerning the clarification of the status of nurses involved in facilitating late abortions by prostaglandin infusion. The RCN was in dispute with the DHSS over clarifying the legality of the part played by nurses in prostaglandin-induced (drip fed) abortions. The RCN's intention was to protect its members in light of possible interpretation of DHSS circular Feb 1980 CMO(80)(2). (Outcome was that the House of Lords overruled the Appeal Court ruling that nurses could not legally continue with a drip fed medical abortion started by a doctor. In February 1981 the Lords ruled giving legal impunity to nurses performing the intermediate stages of prostaglandin induced pregnancy terminations.

1980-1981

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