Doctors set up legal abortion centre in Auck.

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33541, 23 May 1974, Page 1

Doctors set up legal abortion centre in Auck.

I.Veu’ Zealand Press Association AUCKLAND. Max 22. X centre where women can haxe abortions safely and legally has been set up in Remuera. It is bcini* run hy the Auckland Medical Aid I rust, and opened last week.

The trust's medical director. Dr R. Hunton, today confirmed a report in an Auckland weekly newspaper that the tees charged would he between $6O and $BO, according to the extent of the medical care needed. He said that the trust hoped to give women proper skilled attention by registered, reputable medical practitioners at a lower fee than was normally charged. One full-time doctor and 10; part-time consulting doctors will run the centre. Patients will be referred there by their

own general practitioners and a panel of two doctors will assess each case to make sure jinterference with the pregnancy is justified. The actual operation requires only a short time, but a woman will spend some hours recuperating in bed at the centre before being discharged the same day. It is also hoped to provide counselling on other matter* concerning human reproduction. including family planning. Dr Hunton asked that the names of others concerned and the address of the centre not be published, to avoid any advertising of reactions “which would not be in the best interests of those being helped." However, a printed brochure on the trust, which has been supplied to G.P.s, was shown to a reporter. This listed a number of reputable Auckland medical men and prominent citizens as members of the trust.

Dr Hunton emphasised that careful checks had been made with the medical and legal profession to ensure that what was being done was entirely legal. The president of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (Dr Diana Mason) said tonight that the ;centre could be used to “twist the tail of the law.” “It is quite likely that this icentre will be used as a gun to be held at the Governintent's head in an effort to jchange the abortion laws,” 'she said. i The Medical Officer of Health in Auckland (Dr N. ;T. Barnett), said he was aware that the centre had | been set up and, as far as he knew; it was legal. ! “None of our legislation has been infringed. This is a private set-up and nothing to do w’ith us.” Dr Barnett said. (Leading article on abortion law in ,VZ. and conclusions of report on Abortion Act in U.K.. Page 12.)