Join our mailing list to get regular email updates and info on what we're up to!
If you are under 18, please make sure you have your parents’ permission before providing us with any personal details.
Find out about how to access abortion services in the UK.
Abortion is when someone sometimes chooses to end a pregnancy because they don’t want to have a baby. It is sometimes called ‘termination’.
INFO
If you’re in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you are entitled to an abortion paid for by the NHS and there are a number of ways you can get one.
UK citizens travelling from Northern Ireland to England for abortion can also have the procedure paid for by the NHS.
To get an abortion, you can start with your GP if you are comfortable to do so (or another GP if you don’t want to see your normal doctor), a Brook service or another sexual health service, and telling them that you need an abortion.
These services will not perform the abortion themselves but can refer you to a specialist service that can. Brook can also help you by offering pregnancy tests, information about all your options, and counselling before or after an abortion.
Alternatively, in many parts of the country you can refer yourself straight into abortion services without going to see your GP. Visit either British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) or MSI Reproductive Choices UK for further details.
The next step after this will involve an assessment with a doctor or nurse. This may be in a clinic or over the telephone. They can answer any questions or address any concerns you might have.
After this assessment they will make an appointment for you to come to the clinic to have the abortion or to be sent abortion medication to take at home.
A few important points to remember:
If someone is under 16 but is considered able to consent to their own medical treatment, they can consent to an abortion without having to tell a parent or carer. However, a doctor will explore the benefits of involving a parent or another adult to provide support.
Young people under 16 are also allowed to access contraception without having to get permission from a parent or carer, as long as the doctor thinks they can understand and consent to this.
More about your healthcare rights
It’s important to know that the law is different across the British Isles.
Two doctors need to agree that continuing the pregnancy will put your physical or mental health at risk. Once they have agreed, you have until 24 weeks into the pregnancy to have an abortion.
However, in exceptional circumstances an abortion can be carried out after 24 weeks if there is a risk of grave permanent injury or a risk to the life of the pregnant person, or if the baby is diagnosed with a serious or fatal foetal anomaly.
Abortion is legally available in Northern Ireland and available locally up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
To get an abortion in Northern Ireland, you need to contact the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). Request a consultation online with BPAS
Abortions past 20 weeks are less easily accessible in Northern Ireland but you can access abortions in England paid for by the NHS.
Where to go for up-to-date reliable information:
You can have an abortion up to 12 weeks into the pregnancy if two doctors agree it is causing you distress.
Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks if the foetus has a severe incurable problem, or if your life is in danger.
If your pregnancy has gone past 12 weeks but is under 24 weeks, you can travel to England to have an abortion, but you will have to pay for the operation. The Abortion Support Network can help.
Abortions are legal in the Isle of Man up to 14 weeks at the request of the pregnant person and up to 24 weeks in certain circumstances. People seeking abortions over 14 weeks of gestation will be supported to access this treatment in the UK.
It is possible to access abortion up to 12 weeks and later if there is a serious health risk or there is a fatal foetal abnormality. Because of the time limit people are still travelling from Ireland to England for abortions in a range of circumstances.
The Abortion Support Network can help with the price of the abortion and can find accommodation if you need to stay overnight.
Information
It’s a good idea to go and see a doctor as soon as possible if you know you are pregnant and have made up your mind to have an abortion.
Abortion is one of the safest healthcare procedures there is, and complications are very rare. Earlier abortions are even safer than later ones, and can be done using medication at home before 10 weeks.
More about different types of abortion
Brook services do not perform abortions but we do provide emergency contraception, pregnancy tests and abortion referrals, meaning we can refer and support you into other services that provide abortions.
If you would like more help or advice about abortion you can:
If you need help quickly you can contact these organisations:
100% free & confidential