Sexual health - Access to services for early unintended pregnancy

Download table of results for all trusts (2.6MB)

Percentage of NHS funded abortions undertaken at up to and including 9 completed weeks gestation.

Rationale
The earlier in pregnancy an abortion is performed the lower the risk of complications. If women can access services before they are 9 weeks pregnant, they can potentially have a choice of an early medical or surgical abortion - medical abortion avoids the need for anaesthesia and surgery. The Sexual Health and HIV Strategy highlighted that there are wide variations in access to NHS abortion services and the methods available, and that there is evidence that women who choose to seek an abortion can wait up to 4 or 5 weeks in some areas of the country. The strategy’s Implementation Action Plan set a national standard that women who meet the legal requirements should have access to an abortion within three weeks of the first appointment with the referring doctor. The Department of Health allocated pump priming funding in 2002/03 to those PCTs where 51% or more of NHS funded abortions were performed at 10 weeks gestation or later, using a formula based on the number of NHS funded abortions performed on those PCT residents. This funding was to improve access to abortion services and to help these PCTs achieve the recommended national standard. Further funding will be available in 2003/04.

Thresholds

Legend
Significantly below average	1	less than 34.2%
Below average	2	greater than or equal to 34.2% and less than 44.1%
Average	3	greater than or equal to 44.1% and less than 58.4%
Above average	4	greater than or equal to 58.4% and less than 68.1%
Significantly above average	5	greater than or equal to 68.1%

More technical information