Abortion for patients with complex clinical and/or high support needs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Delivering quality abortion care for patients with complex clinical and/or high support needs in England: A Reproductive Health Policy Research Unit study
IRAS ID
350860
Contact name
Rebecca French
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background
Eight out of every ten abortions in England and Wales take place in the Independent Sector by healthcare charities who receive contracts to provide care from the National Health Service (NHS). This arrangement works well for most patients and healthcare staff. However, around 3000 patients each year have more high support needs because of health or social reasons. They may require NHS hospital care from a range of specialists. Some patients may need to have a surgical abortion, and few NHS hospital doctors are trained to do so. This can mean delays for patients in getting their abortion. Special funding (service specification) has been approved to make sure abortion care for patients with high support needs can take place in their local area, but this is at different stages of set-up across the country.Aims and objectives
This study aims to understand how high-quality abortion care can be provided to patients with high-support health and/or social needs. It will answer the following questions:
1. What are patients’ views on and experiences of the abortion care they have received? How do these vary by different types of patients or settings?
2. What things do patients feel work well in how their care is provided from first contact with services to post-abortion? What things could be improved?
3. How is care for patients with high support needs who are having an abortion organised and monitored in different regions?
4. What things do health staff and other staff involved in care, such as social workers, feel affect how abortion care and support is provided to patients with high support needs?Methods
The research will focus on three regions in England at different stages in setting up care for patients with high-support health and/or social needs having abortions. We will interview patients and professionals working in health, social and voluntary sectors.REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
25/NI/0006
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion