ABORTION INFORMED CONSENT

That this House notes that the Royal College of Psychiatrists, in response to a Government request and in view of the controversy over the risk to mental health of induced abortion, issued a new Position Statement on Women's Mental Health in Relation to Induced Abortion on 14th March 2008; further notes that this statement acknowledges that whilst the specific issue of whether or not induced abortion has harmful effects on women's mental health remains to be fully resolved, that nonetheless some studies identify a range of mental disorders following abortion; further notes the College's recommendation that healthcare professionals who assess or refer women who are requesting an abortion should assess for mental disorder and for risk factors that may be associated with its subsequent development; further notes the College's recognition that good practice in relation to abortion will include informed consent and that consent cannot be informed without the provision of adequate and appropriate information regarding the possible risks and benefits to physical and mental health; further notes that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill provides the opportunity to amend the Abortion Act 1967; and calls upon the Government to bring forward measures to ensure that women are adequately informed of the possible dangers of abortion as well as being provided with full details of the help available if they continue with their pregnancies.