Abortions suspended after arson attempt

Press, 23 April 1987, Page 8

Abortions suspended after arson attempt

PA Auckland Abortions at Epsom Day Hospital’s clinic have been suspended for several weeks after an arson attack, on Tuesday evening, said the medical superintendent, Dr Gabrielle Collison, last evening. Meanwhile, abortions would be done at National Women’s Hospital, she said. Dr Collison said counselling could still be done at the clinic. No surgery scheduled for National

Women’s patients would have to be cancelled or deferred. About 10 abortions a day are done at the Epsom clinic. The police were last evening still hunting the arsonists whom they believe were determined to burn down the clinic. Intruders torched the operating theatre and an adjoining room by setting five fires in the clinic on Tuesday evening. While police scoured the building for clues, staff yesterday ferried

patients to nearby National Women’s Hospital. The arsonists broke their way into the clinic through a back door and used accelerant to fuel the blaze. Fire-fighters called to the scene at 9.42 p.m. took less than 20 minutes to bring the fire under control.

The blaze damaged the clinic’s single theatre and a sterile supply room. Dr Collison said she did not know how long the hospital would be out of action.