Hospital abortions up

Press, 27 August 1977, Page 2

Hospital abortions up

The number of abortions performed in public hospitals is increasing, according to the report.

Until 1968 there were never more than 250 each year, but since then there had been a steady increase. In 1974. 919 abortions were performed in public hospitals. “In relation to the increase, it should he noted that the need for abortion to save the mother’s life has decreased, thus more are being approved on mental health grounds,” the report said. Criminal convictions had been relatively infrequent and were not' an accurate guide to the extent of illegal abortions. The report said no data I was available on abortions done outside public hospi•tals, whether legally or ille-

gaily, but estimates had been made. “In 1974, 1500 would have been done at Aotea Hospital, and another 650 to 700 in other private hospitals, mainly in Auckland.” The report said the National Research Bureau estimated that 6500 illegal abortions were performed in 1971. “It further suggests that, of an average of 4500 abortion admissions ’o public hospitals annually, about 3000 are the result of ’bot-ched-up back-street’ abortions.” “These will be a problem as long as abortion is not widely available, although it has been found in some countries that more general availability does not prevent it.” It had also been estimated that about 4000 New Zealand women each year took

advantage of the more open abortion laws in some Australian states. However, the report said it would clearly be a more advantaged group of women who could afford such a trip, as well as being able to arrange it. • The report said -it appeared abortion was being used to some extent as a contraceptive measure, but the precise extent and the reasons for it were not known. “There is, therefore, a clear need for more information, both on the incidence of abortion and on the characteristics of women seeking abortions.” “With this information it should be possible to aim more desirable family planning services towards those most likely to need them,” the report said.