The Wessex Abortion Studies: I, Interdistrict Variation in Provision of Abortion Services

Ashton, John; Rowe, Robyn; Dennis, K. J.; Waters, W. E.; Wheeller, M. J.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(80)90504-8

Cited by 11 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Several of the Wessex Community Health Councils have taken an interest in the provision of abortion within their districts but have been unable to obtain data to clarify allegations of underprovision (Ashton 1978, Ashton et al 1980. In 1977 a working party was convened by Wessex RHA to study the provision of induced abortion within the Region (Wessex Regional Health Authority 1977a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Provision of Induced Abortion in Wessex Health Region: Unmet Need and Feasibility of Compensatory Day Care

Ashton

1980

J R Soc Med

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A study of routinely collected data showed that in 1975 only 42% of Wessex abortion patients obtained a National Health Service operation in their own region. Within this average the range for own district National Health Service operations was from 8.7% (Central Hampshire) to 68% (South West Hampshire) when known paybed operations had been excluded. Most of the remaining patients obtained private operations outside the region and of these about 50% obtained an operation at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service Clinic (BPAS) at Brighton.A survey of Wessex women obtaining induced abortions at BPAS, Brighton, found that 85% of a sample of patients interviewed would have been willing to have a National Health Service operation locally but it had not been available. Only 24% of these women had been referred by way of a formal and accepted path, and had obtained their operation before ten weeks gestation, a suggested maximum for day-care provision.It this proportion is representative of Wessex patients obtaining operations outside the region, the numbers of patients involved in 1975 would have been 643 and the feasibility of a day surgical unit specially providing for this number would be questionable.It is suggested that by reducing delays in the referral process and accepting patients by nontraditional referral paths at least a further 21% of the patients would have qualified for day care. On the basis of this estimate a Regional Day Abortion Unit is probably a practicable proposition.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%