Vacuum aspiration for induced abortion could be safely and legally performed by nurses and midwives

BACKGROUND: Some 40% of abortions carried out in England and Wales are done by vacuum aspiration. It is widely assumed that, in order to be lawful, these procedures must be performed by doctors. AIM AND DESIGN: This study aimed to provide a detailed reassessment of the relevant law and the clinical...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Sheldon, Sally, Fletcher, Joanne
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: BMJ Publishing Group 2017
Materias:
Research
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5749305/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28100470
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101542
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: Some 40% of abortions carried out in England and Wales are done by vacuum aspiration. It is widely assumed that, in order to be lawful, these procedures must be performed by doctors. AIM AND DESIGN: This study aimed to provide a detailed reassessment of the relevant law and the clinical evidence that supports this assumption. CONCLUSIONS: A close reading of relevant law reveals that this assumption is unfounded. On the contrary, it would be lawful for appropriately trained nurses or midwives, acting as part of a multidisciplinary team, to carry out vacuum aspiration procedures. This interpretation of the law offers the potential for developing more streamlined, cost-effective abortion services, which would be both safe and highly acceptable to patients.

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