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KNOW THE LAW

What is the Abortion Act of 1967, how late in pregnancy can you get an termination and how many clinics are there in the UK?

IT'S over half a century since the UK's Abortion Act came into force.

But what does the law say and at what stage in a pregnancy are you allowed to get a termination? We've got the lowdown...

 Abortions are currently permitted up to 24 weeks
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Abortions are currently permitted up to 24 weeksCredit: Getty Images

What is the Abortion Act of 1967?

The Abortion Act of 1967 is an act of Parliament legalising abortions and allowing the NHS to offer them to patients.

It was introduced as a Private Member's Bill by Liberal MP David Steel.

The bill was backed by the government and after a heated debate it was passed on October 27, 1967, and came into effect on April 27, 1968.

It permits an abortion if two doctors agree there is a medical need.

The law does not extend to Northern Ireland where abortion is still illegal.

The Republic of Ireland had a referendum on abortion in May 2018. The Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill finished its final stage in the senate on December 13, 2018.

Abortion services in the country started on January 1, 2019.

The new law legalised free access to abortion up to 12 weeks’ gestation.

Beyond that, terminations will only be legal in cases where there is a risk to the life or serious harm to the health of the woman, or where there is a diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality.

 The Abortion Act of 1967 is an act of Parliament legalising abortions and allowing the NHS to offer them to patients
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The Abortion Act of 1967 is an act of Parliament legalising abortions and allowing the NHS to offer them to patientsCredit: Alamy

How late in pregnancy can you get an abortion?

The law in England, Wales and Scotland allows abortion up until 24 weeks gestation.

Two doctors must agree there is medical need, such as if continuing the pregnancy is a greater risk to the mother's physical or mental health, or that of her other children, than having a termination.

Initially the law allowed terminations up to 28 weeks.

In 1990 the law was updated so that it was illegal to abort a foetus after 24 weeks except in certain circumstances - for instance if it is to save the mother's life or there is evidence of extreme foetal abnormality.

In May 2008 there was a debate in parliament over whether the legal limit should be lowered to 22 or 20 weeks but the law remained unchanged.

The length of the pregnancy is calculated from the first day of the last period, but if the woman isn't sure how long she's been pregnant doctors may carry out an ultrasound.

How many clinics are there in the UK?

There are more than 160 clinics in the UK licensed to carry out abortions.

Abortions can only be carried out in an NHS hospital or a licensed clinic.

They are usually available free of charge on the NHS but can also be paid for privately if the person prefers.

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