The RCN aims to support its members in providing the very highest standards of compassionate care possible for women who choose to have a termination of pregnancy and are committed to providing considerate/empathetic support to those nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who work to provide safe and quality care. 

Please note both terms Termination of Pregnancy and Abortion Care are used interchangeably.

Whether pregnancy is planned or unplanned, the RCN believes that every woman should have the right to choose how to deal with this life event, within current legislation. The RCN believes that termination of pregnancy and contraception are necessary and integral to the provision of a comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare service and support the current legislation. See: 

RCN position on termination of pregnancy (induced abortion).

The key points are:

• It is recognised that there are differing points of view on the issues surrounding abortion.

• Amid these debates are nursing and midwifery teams, who are involved in the termination of pregnancy. The RCN aims to support our members in providing the very highest standards of compassionate care possible for those who choose to terminate a pregnancy, and we are committed to providing considerate/empathetic support to those nursing and midwifery teams who provide safe and quality care.

• Whether pregnancy is planned or unplanned, the RCN believes that every woman and individual should have the right to choose how to deal with this life event, within our current legislation. The RCN believes that termination of pregnancy and contraception are necessary and integral to the provision of a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care service and we support the current legislation.

We equally acknowledge and respect those nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who have a conscientious objection within current legislation. See: RCN 2024 Conscientious Objection - Termination of Pregnancy/Abortion Care. 

The original Abortion Act was 50 years old in 2017, this has led to considerable discussion about the legislation, which was updated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 amended 2008, and which excludes Northern Ireland.

It is recognised that there are differing points of view on the issues surrounding Termination of Pregnancy. In the midst of these debates are women, men, nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who are involved in termination of pregnancy, and /or who have varying views on the subject.

The decriminalisation of abortion is the current debate taking place across the UK, It rests on the ideal that society has moved forward in 50 years, and there is no longer a requirement for this ‘medical condition’ to be enshrined in a legislative framework, that some consider to be outdated and inappropriate.

The RCN published its position on decriminalisation of abortion in England, Wales and Scotland in December 2024, and sets out its key objectives as:

• The RCN believes that all women must be able to continue to access safe and effective abortion care and be able to decide for themselves about their own pregnancy.
• The RCN believes that abortion should be governed by regulatory and professional health care standards rather than criminal law (legislation) and supports calls for the decriminalisation of abortion in England, Wales and Scotland. 
• The RCN also supports the rights of health care workers to conscientiously object to providing direct abortion care, except in an emergency.

There is also a consideration and ongoing discussion about the need to extend nursing skills in care (this is partly driven by the lack of medical staff available to perform Termination of Pregnancy and related to a recognition that this is an area for advanced nursing care to expand). A study in 2017 by Sheldon & Fletcher outlined the advantages of this move, and the RCN would support advanced practice if the individual was adequately skilled, however this needs further work. It would also require a change to current legislation. 

The RCOG has an Abortion Care eResource (2022), with 8 eTutorials available to help health workers, healthcare students and clinical educators gain practical and applicable knowledge about safe abortion care across global contexts.

• Termination of Pregnancy and Abortion Care (2024). This updated guidance incorporates expert and evidence-based practice. It has been produced to support registered nurses and midwives working within the NHS and independent sectors, across the UK. It considers the legislative frameworks in place across the UK, alongside clinical guidance for those working in termination of pregnancy services.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist in Early Pregnancy Care (2024). This document outlines the key skills and knowledge required to develop the role of this specialist nurse/midwife.
• Managing the disposal of pregnancy remains (2024). This publication is intended to provide clear guidance to ensure the safe and appropriate disposal of pregnancy remains.

Termination of Pregnancy and Northern Ireland

• Termination of Pregnancy and Northern Ireland, A legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland after 31 March 2020 - The Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020
• NIDirect 2023 Abortion Care

RCN guidance on conscientious objection

Legislation in the UK recognises that health care workers may have religious, moral or personal objections to termination of pregnancy (TOP). This publication provides guidance on the issue of Conscientious Objection for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. 

• RCN Guidance - Conscientious Objection (Termination of pregnancy) (2024) 

Current legislation

• GOV UK. Abortion Act 1967
• GOV UK. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 amended 2008
• NHS Inform. Abortion care in Scotland
• RCOG. Parliament votes to make telemedicine for early medical abortion permanent in England (March 2022)
• Welsh Government. Written Statement: Arrangements for Early Medical Abortion at Home

The 1967 Abortion Act was amended from 30 August 2022 to allow eligible women in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy (9 weeks and 6 days) to continue to take both medicines for early medical abortion at home” (GOV.UK)

In March 2020, Northern Ireland enacted new legislation and guidelines, see: A new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland

Position statement: Self-managed abortion

The new self-management of abortion position statement has been developed by the Making Abortion Safe programme of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). This statement sets out the RCOG’s position around self-management of abortion and the role of healthcare professionals in creating an enabling environment.  

Advanced nursing skills

• Sally Sheldon, Joanne Fletcher (2017) Vacuum aspiration for induced abortion could be safely and legally performed by nurses and midwives. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2017;0:1–5. doi:10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101542 

Further reading

• Aiken, Lohr, Lord, Ghosh, & Starling (2021).  Effectiveness, safety and acceptability of no-test medical abortion (termination of pregnancy) provided via telemedicine: a national cohort study. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
• Commons Women and Equality Committee (2019). Abortion law in Northern Ireland: Government response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2017–19
• Department of Health and Social Care (2019) Abortion: further clarification of time limit 
• Guidelines (2024). Termination of Pregnancy and Abortion Care. This summary contains RCN recommendations to support registered nurses caring for those undergoing termination of pregnancy across the UK
• NICE quality standard (2021) Abortion care. This quality standard covers care for women of any age who request an abortion. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement
• NICE guideline (2019, updated 2025) Abortion care. This guideline covers care for women of any age (including girls and young women under 18) who request an abortion 
• RCN (2023) Clinical Nurse Specialists in Early Pregnancy Care Consensus Statement
• SACHA project (2023) The SACHA Study - Shaping Abortion for Change
• World Health Organization (2018). Medical management of abortion
• World Health Organization (2022). Abortion care guidelines