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©Copyright Published: 26/03/2007 |
The Epsom Day Unit provides a safe, legal and women-centred abortion service to women of the Auckland region from Mercer in the south to Warkworth in the north. If you do not live in this area you will need to contact the Auckland Medical Aid Centre who perfom abortions privately. Their contact details are 638 6040 or 638 6041 or www.amac.org.nz. A multidisciplinary team includes the Manager, Social Workers, Doctors, Nurses, Administrative and Ancillary staff. Abortion in New Zealand is legal under the provisions of the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act. This law requires that two Medical Practitioners, designated Certifying Consultants appointed under the Act, to agree the request for termination of pregnancy fulfils the requirements of the Act. The Act also requires counselling to be available to women if necessary. The Epsom Day Unit has a two-day system for seeing a woman. On the first day she sees a Social Worker /Counsellor, Doctor and a Nurse for counselling if needed, assessment and contraception planning and education. If her request is approved an appointment is made for a second visit. On the second visit the woman sees the second Certifying Consultant and if all legal requirements are met her operation is performed. Social Workers provide a pre-decision counselling service when requested and woman can return to the clinic for post termination counselling if required. Waiting time for a first appointment may be up to three weeks depending on how busy the Unit is and the gestation of the pregnancy. Urgent appointments are available for women referred in the late part of their first trimester. Women wait between one and seven days for their second appointment. Constant review of the processes at Epsom Day Unit is important in achieving minimal waiting times. Information for women considering abortion |
Ministry of Health
