#SouthAustralia is the only state/territory in Australia without medical abortion via telehealth. This will need to change if South Australia is to maintain sexual and reproductive health rights throughout the pandemic. SRHR Situational Report #Thread: resources.mariestopes.org.au/SRHRinAustrali… 
Given movement restrictions during the pandemic, the national provision of medical abortion via telehealth will be critical. To enable national provision, legislative and policy barriers in South Australia will need to be lifted. #HealthCare #SystemsReform
Why is medical abortion via telehealth not accessible in South Australia? The first dose of mifepristone must be witnessed in person in a clinical setting, which makes medical abortion via telehealth impossible. #DontMakeUsTravelWhenWeDontNeedTo
“You can expect to be at a health facility for approximately 2 hours on your initial visit where you will be assessed by a health worker & doctor and then take the first medication.” @SAHealth. sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connec…
.@MarieStopesAu & other existing medical abortion telehealth providers could extend existing provision to South Australia. There may also be local medical abortion prescribers in South Australia with capacity to shift to telehealth provision. #SolutionReady
Maintaining national access to medical abortion via telehealth throughout the pandemic will require an extension of Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) item numbers to cover Registered Nurse and Midwife Practitioner consults for telehealth. #EvolvingModelsOfCare
“Women in self-isolation & those with health conditions who experience an unwanted pregnancy were being forced to make ‘completely unnecessary’ trips to access early abortion care.” Claire Murphy, @bpas1968 via @aamnamohdin, @guardian on access in the UK. theguardian.com/world/2020/mar…
Opportunity to contribute to increasing abortion access in #SouthAustralia:
