Tynwald members are to be asked to approve an abortion access zone at Noble’s Hospital.

The measure is designed to ensure the public has unhindered access to abortion services at the hospital will be brought to Tynwald today (Tuesday).

Members will be asked to approve an Order creating an access zone in and around the hospital to give legal protection to patients and those providing abortion services.

This is in line with the provisions of the Abortion Reform Act 2019, which began as a private member’s Bill from Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson.

If approved, the Access to Abortion Services Order 2019 will come into force on May 24, the day on which wide-ranging reforms in the Act become operational in Manx law.

The access zone includes the entire Noble’s estate, including all hospital land and roads within 100 metres of the site.

The Order, if approved and once the Act comes into operation, creates a number of offences. It will be illegal to ’interfere, impede or repeatedly communicate with a person without their consent in the access zone’, having been warned not to do so by police.

If Tynwald approves the Order, a sign drawing attention to the access zone will be erected at the entrance and approaches to the hospital.