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<p>The health and safety of women and girls, and clarity and certainty for the medical
profession, is at the forefront of the Government’s approach in complying with the
legal duty under section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.</p><p>
</p><p>On 7 October 2019, I published guidance on gov.uk/nio on the framework in place
during the interim period which aims to provide clarity on the abortion law in Northern
Ireland, including on medicine legislation in relation to abortion.</p><p> </p><p>While
the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland took effect on 22 October 2019,
repealing criminal offences specifically relating to procuring abortion does not repeal
other relevant criminal laws that exist to protect individuals. For instance, it will
remain a criminal offence for anyone to assist or wilfully act to ‘destroy the life
of a child then capable of being born alive’, except where the purpose is to preserve
the life of the mother ‘in good faith’.</p><p>We do not expect there to be any additional
services available ahead of the new legal framework being in place by 31 March 2020.
Existing medical procedures are and will continue to be carefully regulated, and must
be carried out by qualified health professionals in regulated premises with appropriate
quality and care oversight.</p><p> </p><p>Ahead of the new legal framework from 31
March 2020, women and girls resident in Northern Ireland will be able to continue
to access services in England, with all costs of the procedure, including travel and,
where needed, accommodation, being paid for from 22 October 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government recognises there are a range of sensitive policy issues that will need
to be carefully worked, which is why we will be consulting on the new proposed framework
shortly.</p><p> </p>
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