Abortions suspended at Marie Stopes over safety concerns

A family planning provider has suspended surgical abortions for under-18s and vulnerable women after safety concerns were raised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

A number of other services offered by Marie Stopes International (MSI) have also been halted to make sure patients are protected from potential harm when undergoing pregnancy terminations.

These include the suspension of terminations under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation, and the suspension of all surgical terminations at the provider’s Norwich centre.

The intervention by the CQC means 250 women will be sent to other providers.

Marie Stopes International is required to keep the restrictions in place until it has assured the regulator it has appropriate systems in place to care for all of its patients safely.

Prof Edward Baker, deputy chief inspector of hospitals at the CQC, said: "Given the nature of the concerns we identified on our inspections, it is right that Marie Stopes International has suspended a number of its services.

“At all times, our priority is to ensure that patients get safe, high-quality and compassionate care,” said Prof Baker.

The restrictions will take effect immediately.