Chch abortion review

Press, 27 November 1980, Page 26

Chch abortion review

The Abortion Supervisory: I Committee is waiting for th e results of a review of abor-' lion facilities in Christchurch before it pro-; ceeds with its suggestion for' a “free-standing” abortion clinic. ' More than six weeks ago; the committee asked the North Canterbury Hospital Board for its opinion on the idea of an abortion clinic for Christchurch. The board supports the idea of a clinic separate from abortion facilties now offered at Christchurch I Women's Hospital. But it 'does not believe that the

: clinic should be under its control. j , Mrs .Marie Hawke, secretary of the committee, said yesterday that the latest ; communication front the; ■board was about a month iago. ' , “We were told that the [whole question of abortion; I facilities (in Christchurch) ' was being reviewed,” shej said. Until this was completed I the committee could do I nothing more on any abor-i tion clinics proposed for the j South Island. Last week the board’s: health services committee; removed an item on the' clinic proposal from its open'

agenda and discussed it in ' ■ committee.' i This move was criticised ■ yesterday by the spokeswo-1 man for the Women’s Health : Alternative, Mrs Lyn Peach, j; “The secrecy surrounding 1 ’this important suggestion is; appalling. We are disturbed!' iabout the possibility of ai<

private clinic being set up 1 because of the ? commercial! connotations involved. Any ; clinic away from the hospi-; tai setting should be free,' [safe and legal. We have been given no evidence pub-| licly that a private clinic i I would have these criteria,”! ishe said. j