Thread by @bpas1968

We can no longer stand by while women in #NorthernIreland are forced to travel to England for abortion care during #covidー19, despite the fact abortion is now legal in NI.

That's why today we have launched a telemedical service to send NI women abortion pills by post. #NowForNI

We will run the service in collaboration with healthcare professionals in #NorthernIreland, for women up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Anyone in NI who needs our service can call 0300 500 8086 to arrange a teleconsultation with a doctor in Northern Ireland. #Pillsbypost #NowforNI

Abortion is now legal in Northern Ireland on request up to 12 weeks, but politicians have delayed commissioning services. We cannot stand by while the govt's NI Office gives reckless advice that women should travel to England for help despite #covidー19. #NowForNI

Due to #covidー19 flights are cancelled & hotels are closed. The only option is an 8-hour ferry to England & then onward travel to a clinic. All during a pandemic when pregnant women have been identified as a vulnerable group, & everyone has been told to stay at home. #NowForNI

BPAS has been informed of 2 suicide attempts by women needing abortion care in NI. We're also aware of women with serious underlying health conditions who cannot leave their homes due to the risk of #covidー19. These women have no options. #NowForNI

It's senseless to tell vulnerable women to travel, simply to obtain care they could safely access in their own homes. As our @AnnFuredi says, “we can no longer stand back and watch this shameful political gameplay with women’s health at a time of national crisis." #NowforNI

Telemedical abortion services are already available to women in England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. #NorthernIreland cannot wait any longer. #NowforNI

That's why today we are launching an emergency telemedical service to provide #pillsbypost for women in Northern Ireland. Telemedicine for early medical abortion care is recommended as safe by medical bodies including @NICE, @RCObsGyn, @FSRH_UK and @MidwivesRCM. #NowForNI

We are proud to be able to offer a safe, high-quality telmedical service to NI women in their time of need.

The service is completely free of charge to women in NI. To book, call our dedicated line 0300 500 8086.

#pillsbypost #NowForNI #covidー19

We're fully funding this service ourselves, so it's comletely free for those in NI who need it.

If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating. You can join from just £2/month: friendsofbpas.org/sign-up/.

#NorthernIreland #NowForNI #TheNorthisNow #COVID19 #pillsbypost