Clinic 'inundated' after verdict

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34013, 29 November 1975, Page 3

Clinic 'inundated' after verdict

f' 1 Z Press .<><«< luts'f AUCKLAND. Nov. 26. Ihe Auckland Medical Aid Centre was being “inundated” with requests for abortions, its director (Dr R. B. Hunton) said today. The number of terminations each day had risen trom 10 to 15 in recent months, and it was probable that the number of full-time doctors performing terminations would be increased from two to three next year. He said the demand, which was presenting the clinic with a problem, would be eased if other units were set up in Auckland or other cities. The clinic wanted to work without a waiting list, and eventually to reduce the fee for a termination. A doctor from the centre, Dr James Wooinough, was acquitted by a iury in the Supreme Court

yesterday on 12 abortion charges. “I hope it is only a minor matter,” Dr Woolnough said today, referring to the judge’s comment on his referring a question of law to the Court of Appeal for opinion. Dr Woolnough. who returned to work in the medical aid clinic at Epsom today, was greeted by Dr Hunton. Dr Woolnough said he would remain in New Zealand indefinitely, and continue his work in the medical centre. He had telt fairly confident about an acquittal, and after hearing the first two verdicts of not guilty he had “no doubt." Dr Hunton commented that it was a right and just decision. “We are all very happy about it," he said.

Dr Woolnough expressed sorrow for the women involved in the 12 charges, and said they had been through a traumatic experience in three court appearances. The jury ’s verdict represented a tremendous step forward in the campaign to liberalise abortion, the National Women’s Abortion Action Campaign said today . The campaign’s coordinators, Ms Jacqueline MeCluggage and Ms Di Cleary, said the verdict was a reflection of public sympathy lor Dr Woolnough and for the general availability of safe, legal abortion. “The decision also demonstrates that the views of our members of Parliament lag behind public opinion. Only six months ago, legislation intended m outlaw the Auckland Medical Aid Centre was passed through Parliament.”