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 2003/04 to those PCTs where 40% or more of NHS funded abortions were performed at 10 weeks gestation or later. This funding was to improve access to abortion services and to help these PCTs achieve the recommended national standard. Additional funding had also been made available to some PCTs in 2002/03.
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Band 1 - poor | less than 36% |
| Band 2 | greater than or equal to 36% and less than 45% |
| Band 3 | greater than or equal to 45% and less than 60% |
| Band 4 | greater than or equal to 60% and less than 70% |
| Band 5 - good | Greater than or equal to 70% |