New bill to provide further access for termination of pregnancy

• Queensland nurses and midwives will be allowed to prescribe, administer or supply a treatment dose of termination of pregnancy drugs under proposed changes to legislation.
• This amendment forms part of the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 which amends four health portfolio Acts and the Criminal Code.
• These changes will improve access to termination services across the state.

Nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives will be permitted to prescribe termination-of-pregnancy drugs to a person in the early stages of pregnancy under proposed amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018.

Additionally, registered nurses and midwives will be able to administer and supply the termination of pregnancy drug, MS-2 Step in the early stages of pregnancy.

The Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 will aim to enhance access to termination of pregnancy care, promote quality improvement and patient safety in public health facilities in Queensland, and improve the operation of health legislation.

Currently in Queensland, a person in the early stages of pregnancy can obtain a prescription for the medical termination of pregnancy drug, MS-2 Step, from a registered medical practitioner.

Amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act and Criminal Code, will allow for the performance of early medical terminations of pregnancy by nurses and midwives with appropriate qualifications and training.

Allowing nurses and midwives to perform medical terminations of pregnancy using MS-2 Step will improve access to termination of pregnancy care in locations where access to service providers, including GPs, sexual health clinics, and hospitals, who provide this service may be limited.

Doctors will remain the only health practitioners authorised to perform surgical terminations of pregnancy, and medical terminations for gestations nine weeks and above.

The Act will also replace references to ‘woman’ with ‘person’ to ensure all pregnant people can access termination of pregnancy care and strengthen legal recognition of transgender and gender diverse Queenslanders.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, Shannon Fentiman:

“Access to safe termination of pregnancy care is a basic human right that remains a significant health issue for Queenslanders.

“As the Minister for Women, it is extremely important to me that all pregnant women and people in Queensland have access to safe, world-class pregnancy and reproductive healthcare.

“This Bill will support more equitable access to termination of pregnancy care and pregnancy health care right across the state.

“Nurses and midwives have the necessary skills, experience, qualifications and training to be able to undertake this important role and provide greater access to reproductive healthcare, particularly in rural and remote communities.”

Quotes attributable to Children by Choice CEO, Daile Kelleher:

“Expanding the scope of professionals who can prescribe termination of pregnancy medication will mean more options, closer to home. 

“Being able to choose to terminate a pregnancy at home, with your support people provides better health outcomes and reduces unnecessary travel or hospital visits.

“Queensland has huge abortion deserts where no options for care are available, this change will allow nurses and midwives in regional and remote areas to provide care where it is needed.  

“Access to safe, compassionate and timely termination of pregnancy is fundamental for the legislation to work and this addresses gaps within current delivery of care.” 

ENDS