Abortion Care – Northern Ireland

NI Abortion Treatment

Abortion is legal in Northern Ireland and treatment is currently available locally up to 20 weeks (19 weeks and six days dated from the first day of your last period). The stage of pregnancy, and your home postcode, will decide which Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust you attend.

All HSC Trusts provide medical and surgical abortion (Vacuum Aspiration) up to 11 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy.

Surgical care over 12 weeks, and up to 19 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, is provided through a regional service. Initially you will be referred to your local HSC Trust for triaging and consultation. If you require treatment at the regional surgical service you will be referred as appropriate.

Please note that HSC Trusts cannot post abortion medication to you and accessing medical treatment will require at least one clinic visit. (A second clinic appointment is required if accessing a medical abortion after 9 weeks and 6 days).

Accessing Abortion Care (Northern Ireland)

Anyone wishing to access abortion care in Northern Ireland up to 19 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy should contact the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). You can complete an online consultation form, or call 03457 30 40 30.

Once you have submitted your booking request you will receive a call from your local HSC Trust provider. This is usually within 5 working days, however often it will be sooner. Some Trusts will use a “Withheld” number to contact you and if you cannot be reached they will call you on several occasions. If you’ve not heard within 5 working days, please call the BPAS booking centre on 03457 30 40 30.

ICNI are also aware of numerous people who have contacted Stanton Healthcare. This organisation does not refer into abortion services. BPAS is the only organisation which currently provide referrals into this service.

Further information regarding abortion care in Northern Ireland, as well as local contraceptive services can be found on the NI Direct website.

Accessing Abortion Care (Great Britain)

Where abortion services are not yet available in Northern Ireland, you can access free abortion care in Great Britain. You will not have to pay for travel and accommodation. To access these services, complete an online consultation form, or contact BPAS on 03457 30 40 30.  

Pregnancy Choices Counselling

Sometimes when faced with an unplanned or crisis pregnancy it is difficult to discuss it with family and friends. This can leave you feeling vulnerable and isolated at a time when you need support. We can provide non-directive pregnancy choices counselling support and information on all your options. To make an appointment with one of our counsellors please call 028 9031 6100.

Post Pregnancy Counselling

With over 30 years’ experience, ICNI also provide post pregnancy counselling. We can support you following a pregnancy loss – either through abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth. You can self-refer into this service by calling our sexual health helpline on 028 9031 6100.

Get in touch

For more information contact:
Tel: 028 9031 6100

Email: info@informingchoicesni.org