Section 178 — Early medical termination of pregnancy

(1) Section 1 of the Abortion Act 1967 is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (3), for “subsection” substitute “subsections (3B) to”.

(3) In subsection (3A)—

(a) the words from “includes” to the end become paragraph (a);

(b) after that paragraph insert— (b) is not limited by subsections (3C) and (3D).

(4) After subsection (3A) insert— (3B) Subsections (3C) and (3D) apply where— (a) the treatment referred to in subsection (3) consists of the prescription and administration of medicine, and (b) the registered medical practitioner terminating the pregnancy is of the opinion, formed in good faith, that, if the medicine is administered in accordance with their instructions, the pregnancy will not exceed ten weeks at the time when the medicine is administered (or in the case of a course of medicine, when the first medicine in the course is administered). (3C) If the usual place of residence of the registered medical practitioner terminating the pregnancy is in England or Wales, the medicine may be prescribed from that place by the registered medical practitioner. (3D) If the pregnant woman’s usual place of residence is in England or Wales and she has had a consultation (in person, by telephone or by electronic means) with a registered medical practitioner, registered nurse or registered midwife about the termination of the pregnancy, the medicine may be self-administered by the pregnant woman at that place.