The Government is launching a free abortion support helpline after decriminalising it in 2020.
Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall, announcing the national abortion telehealth service Decide on Wednesday, described it as a "huge step".
"Telehealth makes it easier for people to reach the services and support that already exist, particularly those who find it difficult to visit a doctor or clinic," Dr Verrall, a former physician, said.
"It also gives assurance to health practitioners that their patients have additional sources of support."
The helpline will be led by Family Planning and Magma Healthcare (also trading as The Women's Clinic). Both organisations are recognised experts in abortion and sexual health, alongside district health board providers, and have experience in providing sexual health and abortion services via telehealth.
"Everyone should be able to access abortion information and care when they need it. The national telehealth service is part of wider improvements to abortion provision," Dr Verrall said.
"Earlier this year, Government lifted some of the funding restrictions on abortion medication, which enabled a wider range of health practitioners like GPs and nurses, to prescribe them. Changes like this continue to build on quality, accessible abortion care."
A website, www.decide.org.nz, will be active from April 26. It will provide information about abortion services in New Zealand to help people make informed decisions about their pregnancy.
Three-phase rollout
- Referrals and information about abortion services will be available from April 26.
- Follow-up care and abortion-related counselling will be available from July 1.
- The final phase, set for November, includes telemedicine - providing clinical consultations for an early medical abortion over the phone and couriering medications.
ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa welcomed the plan for a funded national abortion telehealth service as a significant step toward expanding access.
"This service will address some of the current inequities in abortion access, especially for those who have to travel long distances," said ALRANZ spokesperson Dr Tracy Morison.
The Government decriminalised abortion in 2020 with the passing of the Abortion Legislation Bill. It shifted the regulation of abortion services to the Ministry of Health and enabled abortion care to be provided in a wider range of settings.
A health practitioner may perform an abortion before 20 weeks gestation. After 20 weeks gestation, a health practitioner may only perform an abortion if they reasonably believe the abortion is clinically appropriate in the circumstances.
In 2020, 45 percent of abortions were accessed before eight weeks' gestation, compared with only 27 percent in 2019.
In 2020, 13,246 abortions were performed in New Zealand, up from 12,857 in the previous year. The general abortion rate was 13 per 1000 women aged 15 to 44 years, down slightly from 13.2 per 1000 in 2019.
