Campaigners who opposed abortion reform are questioning the quality of counselling that will be given to women who consider having a termination.

LIFE Isle of Man members are concerned that the health service will not be able to deliver adequate counselling once the Abortion Reform Bill becomes law.

Sue Richardson, a representative of LIFE Isle of Man, said: ’How can the health service possibly offer a counselling service worthy of the name if they are making cuts all over the place?

’Furthermore, they have supposedly agreed that the counselling should be objective and unbiased.

’LIFE would question that. How can a government which has voted so conclusively for abortion possibly do this?’

She said that to be ’fair’ and ’objective’, counselling should include information about the dangers of abortion.

’Women very rarely, if ever, receive this. How is that fair and objective?’ she said.

’Medical [non-surgical] abortions are usually completed at home. Will they point out the danger of incomplete abortion, which will necessitate a rush to A&E?’

She suggests that pre-termination counselling ’should include at least a conversation with a LIFE representative, as well as someone from the health service’.

’Two subjective counsellors is better than one who will only tell women about the benefits of abortion,’ she said. ’Only then do women have a true choice. And choice is what the "pro abort" lobby has been shouting very loudly about, so give the women who ask for an abortion a true choice, and inform them of the dangers.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the department, including its mental health service had ’fully considered the implications of the Abortion Reform Bill, and the requirements for counselling which arise from it’.

The spokesman said: ’Pre- and post-termination counselling have always been available. It’s more limited in scope - focused on giving emotional support and helping the person understand the implications of the course of action they’re proposing to take. Our counsellors will be offering a greater range of information in the new era - and preparation for that is in hand.’

Health Minister David Ashford said: ’There seems to be a bit of confusion over the counselling service.

’The department currently offers a counselling service and this will simply be an extension of the existing service.

’It’s not a brand new service so additional costs are minimal. The counselling is provided at the request of the woman. It is not a compulsory service for someone seeking an abortion, nor was it ever intended to be. It is purely there if the woman requests it.

’The service will not be attempting to influence the decision of any woman one way or another, that is entirely the woman’s choice, it would be completely inappropriate for it to be otherwise. It is simply a service available should anyone wish to use it.’

Part 2 of the Abortion Reform Bill states pre-termination counselling is to be ’balanced, impartial and non-judgmental’ and that counsellors are willing to discuss ’full and accurate information’ of available options in relation to the pregnancy.

Political preview, page 22.