Marie Stopes abortion services suspended after safety concerns

Hundreds of women seeking abortions in England will have their care diverted to other clinics, after services run by Marie Stopes International were suspended because of safety concerns.

The suspension was imposed on Friday 19 August after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns about the provider’s corporate and clinical governance arrangements and patient safety protocols in specific areas, after inspections of its services and corporate headquarters.

Marie Stopes International subsequently agreed to suspend all pregnancy termination services for women aged under 18 and vulnerable groups of women; all terminations under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation; and all surgical terminations at one of its centres in Norwich. The suspensions will hold until it can assure the CQC that patients will be …