NSS: Women in Jersey should have same access to abortion as Brits

Posted: Thu, 2nd Nov 2023

Abortion in Jersey is expensive and usually only available up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Women in Jersey should have the same access to abortion as British women, the National Secular Society has told Jersey's Minister for Health and Social Services.

In response to a consultation on abortion access, the NSS said gestational limits for abortion in Jersey should be brought in line with those in England, Wales and Scotland. Jersey is a British Crown Dependency with its own legislature.

Under the Termination of Pregnancy (Jersey) Law 1997, abortions are generally only available up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, as compared to 24 weeks in Great Britain.

Abortions in Jersey can only be carried out at later gestations if there is a grave risk to the woman's health, a risk to the woman's life, or in cases of foetal anomaly.

Women in Jersey should also have access to at-home abortions in cases of early pregnancy, the NSS said. The NSS successfully campaigned for similar provisions in Great Britain in 2021.

The NSS said abortion "should be free at the point of access in Jersey, as it is in the UK". Currently, abortion in Jersey costs £185 if the woman is entitled to access Government of Jersey healthcare, or £511 if she is not. This is despite most healthcare in Jersey being free at the point of access after six months' residency.

NSS: 'Women in Jersey deserve access to safe, effective and accessible abortion care'

NSS campaigns officer Dr Alejandro Sanchez said: "We think women in Jersey should have the same access to safe, effective and accessible abortion care as women in Britain.

"That's why we've recommended the law regarding abortion be brought in line with those in England, Wales and Scotland."