The results of a study published by the British Journal of Psychiatry this month put the current debate about abortion counselling in England into sharp context (as a devolved matter the Field/Dories amendment will not affect Wales). According to the study women who have undergone an abortion are 81% more likely to experience some kind of mental health problem and nearly 10% of mental health problems in women were attributable to having an abortion.

These seem very high figures and should focus the mind about the issue of pre and post-abortion counselling. It is an issue too important to be used as a political football and while the input of the highly respected Frank Field is to be applauded I do wonder whether the inclusion of the polarising figure of Nadine Dories is quite as welcome.

Any thoughts?


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