This page refers to women travelling to England from Scotland for abortion care due to lack of provision locally and is only relevant for those over 20 weeks’ gestation at the time of treatment. For more information on accessing abortion prior to 20 weeks’ gestation in Scotland, please visit NHS Scotland inform Accessing an abortion | NHS inform
Abortion is when a pregnancy is ended so that it doesn't result in the birth of a child. Sometimes it is called 'termination of pregnancy'.
In Scotland and across the UK, abortion is allowed up to 23 weeks and 6 days after the first day of your last period, or in certain cases after that time.
However, abortion care is not routinely available in Scotland beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy, meaning that women will usually have to travel down to a BPAS clinic – or in some cases an NHS hospital - in England for treatment.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service – BPAS – is a women’s healthcare charity that provides abortion care in clinics across England and Wales. We care for more than 100,000 women every year. You do not have to pay for treatment with BPAS, and we can help you arrange funded travel and accommodation to attend your appointment with us. We have arrangements with every health board in Scotland to help make sure you can get the abortion care you need.
Across the UK abortion is legal up to 24 weeks’ gestation.
In Scotland there are limited facilities that provide care for the women trying to access care between 20 and 24 weeks, meaning that to access care you may need to travel to a BPAS clinic or NHS hospital in England.
Why do I need to travel for my care?
Currently, there are limited facilities in Scotland that provide abortion beyond 20 weeks’ gestation. Abortion care is safe and legal at this stage, and thousands of women every year access it. You are being referred to a women’s health charity in England, BPAS, who can provide you the care you need.
Who are BPAS?
We are an independent healthcare charity and the largest provider of abortion care in the UK. Since 1968 we have been advocating and caring for women who are thinking about ending a pregnancy. We are the leading specialists of abortion advice and treatment in the UK, taking care of more than 100,000 women each year in over 55 reproductive healthcare clinics nationwide.
Why is BPAS providing this and not the NHS?
There are limited facilities in Scotland that provide an abortion beyond 20 weeks’ gestation, meaning that patients who wish to end their pregnancy beyond this point need to travel to a clinic or hospital in England. BPAS works with your Health Board so your care, as well as any travel and accommodation costs, will be paid for by the NHS.
Most women will be cared for by BPAS at one of our clinics in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, or Doncaster. If you have an underlying health condition or certain pregnancy complications, BPAS and your Health Board may need to arrange for you to be treated by a specialist hospital in England.
How long will I have to spend in England?
You will need to stay in England for two or three nights. This is to allow time for the necessary appointments before the procedure, and for recovery time after general anaesthetic. If you are flying to England, it is advised that you do not fly for 12 hours after receiving anaesthetic.
You are likely to have a surgical abortion procedure between 18- and 24-weeks’ gestation, which typically involves a minor operation and takes two days.
What does the procedure involve?
At 18 weeks’ gestation or above, the procedure is done under general anaesthetic. This method is called ‘dilatation and evacuation’ or ‘D&E’ and uses instruments and suction to remove the pregnancy. For pregnancies beyond 20 weeks, the treatment requires an additional appointment the day before the abortion. You can read more about what to expect here.
Is treatment painful?
Dilation and Evacuation over 18 weeks’ gestation is done under general anaesthetic. Under a general anaesthetic, you are unconscious and you will feel nothing. This is like being asleep. You can read more about what to expect from general anaesthetic here. After the procedure you should expect to experience bleeding like a period and cramping for 1-2 weeks. You can learn more about pain after surgical abortion here.
We understand that travelling out of your local area for medical treatment can be daunting, but we are here to support you through it.
What is the process?
If you present to your local NHS abortion service in Scotland seeking an abortion over 20 weeks’ gestation, you will be told that this cannot be provided locally and that in order to proceed you will have to travel to a BPAS clinic in England.
If you choose to proceed, you will be scanned in your local NHS abortion facility and have your bloods taken for pre-treatment tests. A telephone consultation with BPAS will then be arranged, this usually takes about an hour and will usually happen in the days after your referral. If you need any counselling or support around decision-making at this point, this can also be arranged.
Once your telephone consultation takes place, and if you opt to proceed, a clinic appointment is booked in England usually within a week. Travel and accommodation will be arranged by BPAS for you and an escort. You will not need to pay anything.
You will then travel for treatment – usually to London, Birmingham, Liverpool, or Doncaster and remain there for two or three nights depending on your gestation and method of travel.
If you need post-abortion support, BPAS is available 24 hours a day through our aftercare line. In-person follow-up care can be provided by your local hospital if needed.
Where will I be travelling to?
Our surgical centres are located in Richmond (London), Birmingham, Liverpool, and Doncaster. Depending on which site is easier for you to travel to, and which clinic has available appointments will determine where you will be travelling.
How do I get there?
Once you have had your consultation, BPAS will arrange travel and accommodation for you and an escort at no cost to you. We will be there to support you every step of the way.
How long will I be away from home for?
The procedure for abortion over 20-weeks’ gestation takes two days. You will likely be away from home for two or three nights.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. BPAS will arrange accommodation and travel for up to one escort at no cost to you or them. Because you are having a general anaesthetic, you will need to make sure somebody can attend your appointment with you.
What if I change my mind?
You can change your mind at any time. You can call us at 03457 30 40 30 to rearrange your appointment. You can also call if you want to book pregnancy options support or counselling.
Will I need to travel back to the clinic for a follow-up?
No. Once your treatment is completed and you return to Scotland, post-abortion support is available 24 hours a day through our aftercare line. If we think further treatment is needed, this will be triaged and you will be signposted for care within your local NHS service.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call us on 03457 30 40 30. You can also call if you want to book pregnancy options support or counselling.
A decision has been made by the Scottish Government that all women travelling to England for abortion care should be funded by their local Health Board. This means you can access care free at the point of delivery, like all other NHS services.
Will I have to pay for my treatment?
No. Your local NHS health board in Scotland will pay BPAS for your treatment.
Will I have to pay for my travel and accommodation?
No. BPAS will arrange your travel and accommodation at no cost to you.
Will I get help to pay for my meals when I am away from home?
We understand that unexpectantly being away from home for a few days can cause financial pressure. Whilst we don’t routinely offer financial support for extra costs like meals, we may be able to offer a charitable grant in extenuating circumstances. If you think you will need support in this way, raise it during your consultation.
Travelling to England for medical care at short notice can be a daunting prospect. BPAS will do everything we can to ensure that you are supported throughout the process and beyond.
What happens if I need overnight accommodation?
Abortion over 20 weeks’ gestation is a two-day procedure so you will need to stay somewhere local to the clinic. BPAS will arrange travel and accommodation for you and an escort.
I have children – what support is available?
Unfortunately it is not possible to bring children to your appointment, and BPAS is not able to help find childcare for you. If this is going to cause an issue for attending your appointment, please raise it during your consultation.
What emotional support is available?
After an abortion most women feel relieved, but some also feel sad or guilty. Occasionally, although you feel well physically, perhaps it's a bit of a struggle emotionally. If you need to talk to someone, you can make an appointment for post-abortion counselling. This is a free service for women who have had treatment at BPAS. You can book this by calling our aftercare line.
What aftercare support is available?
BPAS has a 24-hour aftercare line that you are free to call with any queries or concerns that you may have after your treatment once you’ve returned to Scotland. For more support on Aftercare, please visit our Aftercare & Support page or give us a call on 0300 333 68 28 (or +44 1789 508 210) from outside the UK.
What if I need to take time off school or work?
Everyone recovers differently. Listen to your body and if you get pains or feel unwell, take some time for yourself. Return when you feel ready but avoid heavy physical activity for 1-2 weeks. If you need to have some time off you can legally self-certify sickness absence for a week, but if you need longer than that, contact your GP to discuss a fit note.
I want to keep my pregnancy remains – will I get help to bring the remains back to Scotland?
You may take your pregnancy remains away and can make your own arrangements for them. If you want to take your remains away with you, make sure to tell your nurse or midwife this during your consultation. You can find more information on support available for this here.