📰 Facing tough choices in Cardiff: Beda and Rachel’s stories highlight a glaring disparity in abortion care between England and Wales. 🤰
Meet Beda, a 26-year-old from Cardiff. When she found out she was pregnant at eight weeks, she sought an abortion. But with long waiting times in Wales, her pregnancy crossed the 10-week limit for a medical abortion. She had to undergo a surgical procedure after waiting four weeks. “I wanted an at-home experience, but by the time I got to the appointment, I was too far along,” she shared. 😞
Meanwhile, Rachel, 30, discovered her pregnancy while backpacking in Denmark. Upon returning to Wales, she was told she’d have to wait over two weeks. Frustrated, she used her friend’s Bristol address to access quicker care in England. Within two days, she started her medical abortion alone. “If I had got it in Wales, my mum or sister could have been with me,” Rachel said.
In England, abortion care mainly falls to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, leading to faster processes, contrary to Wales where stretched NHS services face long delays. This forces some women to self-fund, with costs ranging wildly. 💷
Vivienne Rose, a BPAS clinic manager, notes: “Women say it’s painful knowing it gets later.” Unfortunately, with BPAS temporarily halting surgical procedures in Cardiff, women now face longer travel or higher costs for care.
The Welsh Government launched a Women’s Health Plan aiming for local, timely care. However, issues with conscientious objections and funding persist. Change is needed, but with upcoming elections, uncertainty looms. 🗳️
It’s time to address the disparities in women’s healthcare in Wales. Every woman deserves timely and accessible care, regardless of where they live. 💬💪
#WomensHealth #AbortionRights #HealthcareAccess #Cardiff #Bristol