Hospitals have ‘duty of care’ on abortion, say women

Three women who had to travel to Britain to obtain abortions have written to maternity hospitals here telling them they have a duty of care to people in similar circumstances.

The women, who told of their experiences of having to go to Britain for a termination after being diagnosed with fatal foetal abnormalities, have called for a meeting with the medical chiefs to discuss the issue.

Amanda Mellet, Ruth Bowie and Arlette Lyons are campaigning for a change in the law to legalise abortions in Ireland when the life of the child is in danger.

They gave politicians first accounts at a briefing last week where they detailed the distressing experience each had in being denied an abortion at home even though they knew their babies would not survive.

“We know that legally your hands are tied in the services and information you can give us but feel that you equally have a duty of care to us and other women who will unfortunately go through this in the future,” the women said in a letter to the masters.

The correspondence has been sent to the Coombe, the National Maternity Hospital and the Rotunda.

“Our desire would be that the law would change so you would be able to provide this service to us in our country in the near future,” the women said.

The three women supported a Private Member’s Bill to reform abortion law in line with the 20-year-old X case ruling last week.