pregnant woman who told her therapist that she was considering an abortion says She was left ‘shocked and traumatized’ after receiving flyer for against abortion group.
Woman, 38 years old says she was looking for treatment for bladder problem on July 19, when the doctor at All Saints Medical Center in Plumstead, southeast London, asked if she was pregnant.
When she said yes, she claims that the male doctor asked if it was “happy”. news’fore you give her the flyer for Society for protection of Unborn children (SPUC) when she said she “didn’t sure” and was thinking about termination.
The flyer titled “Abortion: Your Right to Know” had phone numbers. for Services run anti-abortion groups who claim to suggest pregnancy support. it also listed potential risks of an abortion that was falsely claimed to include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, infertility, and breast cancer.
Woman, who asked not to be named because she family no need know about pregnancy also claims that the doctor gave the wrong advice about fertility and told her that the abortion would likely affect her. ability conceive in future.
She is says she is left appointment in shock. “When I looked closely at the leaflet, I noticed that it had a daily ‘what’s going on’. on with your fetus calendar for today and day one this is new life is created,” she said. “It was really frustrating. It didn’t make me feel guilty because I have modern views on abortion, but that’s what he felt like It was designed do.”
South East London’s Integrated Health Services, which brings together NHS services and local councils, said: “We take care of like this is very serious and currently investigation of alleged incident with general doctor practice”.
The leadership of the General Medical Council, which regulates the activities of medical practitioners, clearly says that physicians “should never express their personal beliefs to patients in ways that exploit their vulnerability or may cause they are grieved,” and should ensure information They share with patients is objective, accurate and up to date. NHS website says abortion does not increase risk of breast cancer or mental health issues or affect a woman’s chances of get pregnant in future.
The charitable organization SPUC, which issued the leaflet, actively opposes abortion. group with a history of spreading misinformation about abortion. Exhibited in 2019 for launch toy story-themed campaign targeting children falsely claimed fetuses may feel pain just 10 weeks after conception.
GPS in other parts of UK reported Observer anti-abortion charities sent leaflets to them. In these cases, leaflets were not handed out to patients, but to Dr. Pam Low, of Aston University in Birmingham, who expert in anti-abortion campaigning groups, said the incidents were indicative of broader efforts by campaigners to fight doctors. in hope that they may distribute leaflets by accident or out of sympathy. “There is some concern people may rely on what information because they get it from their doctor,” she said.
Dr. Cathy Cairns, General Practitioner in Belfast, said she was sent unbranded flyers promoting abortion ‘cancellation’, untested treatments, in 2020. Another GP, Dr. Liz Bates of Birmingham, said she was sent anti-abortion leaflets. unknown source “about 18 months ago”.
In a separate incident about three years ago patient in Cornwall found SPUC Brochure in the receptionist of her general practice receptionist, according to MSI Reproductive Choices. Dr. Jonathan Lord, gynecologist and NHS medical officer. director at MSI said information contained in the flyers he saw were “false biased, designed frighten women as well as cause guilt”, and that any cases of patients who receive leaflets will be “worried”. “That would be deeply irresponsible, but given tactics used by anti-abortion groups, they may not even have known the leaflets were there, or how they are misleading,” he said.
Kerry Abel, Chairman of Right to abortion, supporter of choice campaign group said disinformation could “delay access to an abortion, potentially doing the procedure more dangerous”.
SPUC claimed to have “only provided leaflets to general practitioners at any time.” who asked them.” It stated: “SPUC contacted general practitioners between 2015 and 2016 informing them that leaflets were available if they wished get any. The leaflets were then sent to general practitioners. who specifically requested them. Target of it was supposed to allow doctors with information which they could offer patients representing for abortion, especially who could be ambivalent about them decision”.
He previously denied spreading misinformation. on abortion, claiming that content based on “scientific facts about life before birth”.
In July, the NHS removed the list on this is website for SPUC that led people to links for in group phone line and “consultation” for “victims of abortion,” reports Vice World News.
