This page refers to women travelling to England from Wales for abortion care due to lack of provision locally. Depending on where they live, they may need to travel outside of their health board to access care beyond 10 weeks' gestation. For more information on what your health board offers, please visit NHS Wales website below.
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 Wales 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, depending on where they live, women who need an abortion after 10 weeks’ may need to travel outside of their health board, or Wales, 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, and are committed to ensuring women can get the abortion care they need. If you need to access abortion care in Cardiff of England, and are unable to afford travel, let us know and we will do our best to help you.
Across the UK abortion is legal up to 24 weeks’ gestation. In Wales there are limited facilities that provide care for the women trying to access after 10-14 weeks depending on your health board, meaning that to access care you may need to travel to a BPAS clinic or NHS hospital in England.
If you are based in Betsi Cadwaladr (north Wales) or Powys (east Wales) health boards, BPAS is the main provider of abortion care in your area and you will need to travel to England for services past 10 weeks.
Why do I need to travel for my care?
Currently, there are limited facilities in Wales that provide abortion beyond 10-14 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 Cardiff or 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.
BPAS are the main providers of abortion services in Betsi Cadwaladr and Powys health boards, and provider later abortion care for women across Wales.
Why is BPAS providing this and not the NHS?
There are limited facilities in Wales that provide an abortion beyond 10 weeks’ gestation, meaning that patients who wish to end their pregnancy beyond this point need to travel to a clinic or hospital in Cardiff or England.
If you need care that isn’t available locally, BPAS will provide you with care usually from our clinics in Chester, Liverpool, Birmingham, or London. 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?
This will depend on what gestation your pregnancy is at. Many procedures can be provided in one day and you will be able to travel after care. For some procedures later on in pregnancy you may need to stay in England overnight.
If you are based in Betsi Cadwaladr or Powys health boards, BPAS will provide you with a choice of treatment before 10 weeks’ gestation – either Early Medical Abortion or surgical abortion in England. After 10 weeks you will need to travel to England for surgical treatment, which may take place on one day or require an overnight stay depending on your gestation.
If you are based in south or west Wales, BPAS provides care for women up to the legal limit of 24 weeks. This will require you travelling to Cardiff, Birmingham, or London.
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?
Depending on where you live in Wales, and your gestation, you may need to travel to Cardiff or England for care.
The process of travelling will differ depending on where you live and what gestation you are. We will do what we can to minimise disruption and help you to access as much of the care pathway as possible closer to home. You should only need to travel to England once.
You can discuss locations and travel with our bookings team and during your consultation.
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 Cardiff (UH Llandough), 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 help to arrange travel and accommodation for you and an escort. We will be there to support you every step of the way. Please let us know if you are unable to afford to travel as we will do our best to help you access the care you need.
How long will I be away from home for?
This will depend on your gestation. This may be a one day treatment or may require an overnight stay. This will be discussed with you at your consultation.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. Because you are having a surgical abortion, 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 Wales, 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.
BPAS is a charity that is committed to ensuring women can get the abortion care they need. If you need to access abortion care in Cardiff or England, the procedure will be funded through your local health board. If you are unable to afford to travel, let us know and we will do our best to help you.
Will I have to pay for my treatment?
No. Your local health board in Wales will pay BPAS for your treatment.
Will I have to pay for my travel and accommodation?
Health Boards in Wales do not routinely pay for travel and accommodation. However, if you are unable to afford to travel to Cardiff or Wales, please let us know and we will do our best to support you to access care.
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 Cardiff or 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?
Health boards in Wales do not routinely fund travel and accommodation for treatment. If you need support to enable you to attend an appointment let us know during your consultation and we will do everything we can to support you.
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 Wales. 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.