Draft ‘could discriminate on mental health grounds’

A leading doctor and barrister has warned that under the draft abortion legislation, a woman who wants to terminate her pregnancy because she is suicidal could have grounds to take a discrimination case on the grounds of mental health.

Under the legislation, such a woman will have to have her procedure certified by three doctors, including two psychiatrists, whereas a woman with a physical ailment only has to have the procedure certified by two doctors.