What is the Government doing to improve early access to abortion services?
Answer The earlier in pregnancy an abortion is performed, the lower the risk of complications. The Government is therefore working to ensure that women have access to abortion services as soon as possible. We have made significant investment to improve early access and set a standard of a maximum waiting time of 3 weeks. The latest data for 2008 show that progress is being made to increase early access: 72% of NHS funded abortions took place at under 10 weeks compared with 51% in 2002.
