Hospitals in clear over sex bias abortion fear

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) made an unannounced visit to Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester and the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, but found the practice was not happening here.

A national newspaper reported that visits by CQC officials on other NHS clinics revealed piles of pre-signed abortion forms – forms signed by doctors who had not met the women who wanted the abortion.

The article followed on from a previous one by the same newspaper saying doctors were prepared to sign off abortions if women were unhappy with the gender of the foetus.

Although the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has not yet received a written report from the national watchdog following the visit on March 20, a verbal report to trust leaders indicates forms were correctly completed by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

A brief report was given by Penny Venables, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, at a board meeting at the Charles Hastings Education Centre near Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester. The trust also released a statement that read: “A review of documentation held by the trust has shown that records relating to requests for termination of pregnancies were correctly completed and there were no irregularities or concerns.

“The review was part of a wider investigation by the Care Quality Commission which is making unannounced visits to trusts and pregnancy advisory clinics across the country, following recent Press coverage that has indicated that in some cases, termination requests were filled in inappropriately by clinicians based on the baby’s sex.

“Medical records from Worcester and Redditch hospitals were assessed by the CQC which looked at our processes regarding terminations on both surgical and medical grounds.

“They focused on ensuring that the forms has been signed appropriately, consent obtained and that patients had received information and counselling regarding terminations.”