INFORMED CONSENT FOR ABORTION

That this House notes that in its 14 March 2008 statement the Royal College of Psychiatrists advised 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 that the Royal College also states that informed consent must be on the basis of adequate and appropriate information on the potential risks to mental health associated with abortion; calls on the Government to give its full backing to mental health assessments for women presenting for abortion as well as the provision of professional counselling where mental health issues are identified; and further calls on the Government to make available information on the possible mental health risks to women of an induced abortion.