Marie Stopes

Oral Answers to Questions – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:15 pm on 8 October 2013.

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Photo of Jim Allister Jim Allister Traditional Unionist Voice 3:15, 8 October 2013

7. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made in bringing the Marie Stopes clinic within regulatory control and accountability requirements. (AQO 4755/11-15)

Photo of Edwin Poots Edwin Poots DUP

The Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast was registered by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) on 5 July 2013, in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and related regulations.

Having been registered, the Marie Stopes International clinic in Belfast is subject to a minimum of one inspection a year by RQIA.  In common with RQIA’s procedures, additional inspections would be carried out if issues of concern were identified from an inspection.  RQIA requires the clinic to have a written statement of purpose and patients' guide, and arrangements for regular review of those documents.

Inspection, prior to registration and annually, is against the Independent Health Care Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.  The regulations cover the care and welfare of patients; the numbers, qualifications and experience of staff and their fitness to perform their work; professional practice; records; staff views; complaints; fitness of premises; financial viability; and notification of events.  Inspection also covers areas such as the nature of the built environment; record keeping; employment and regulatory arrangements for staff; and the procurement, storage and dispensing of medicine.

Photo of Jim Allister Jim Allister Traditional Unionist Voice

One year on, is it the case that, given the limitations of RQIA's role, neither the Minister nor the Assembly can know how many abortions have been carried out in the clinic, how many people have been referred to GB for late abortions, and how much money the organisation has made out of the killing of the unborn?  Does the Minister agree that, if we had true accountability, we would know the answer to those questions and that it is a shame that the pro-abortion minority in this House has allowed that situation to continue?

Photo of Mitchel McLaughlin Mitchel McLaughlin Sinn Féin

It is for the Minister to decide how to respond, but a supplementary question should be a singular question.

Photo of Edwin Poots Edwin Poots DUP

I have raised a number of issues with officials about receiving statutory assurance that the law is being adhered to and that the RQIA is fulfilling its statutory duties.  My officials are engaging with the RQIA on that matter.  I want the maximum level of assurance, and I am looking at a range of powers. 

The Member knows very well that this matter is dealt with under the criminal law.  The Justice Minister indicated to the House that he would bring a paper to the Executive on ensuring that the law on abortion is upheld.  I look forward to seeing that document and I want it to be delivered to the Executive at the earliest possible opportunity.  Many of us, rightly, opposed the fact that an organisation had the ability to carry out those services in an unregulated way.  I regard that as wholly unsatisfactory.

Photo of Jim Wells Jim Wells DUP

Can the Minister update the House on the consultation on the guidance on the termination of pregnancy?

Photo of Edwin Poots Edwin Poots DUP

I brought that matter to the Executive, and we have not yet received the detail of the responses.  I regard abortion and termination of pregnancy as a very sensitive issue.  For some people, a termination of pregnancy is the worst thing possible, and they are put in desperately difficult circumstances when they want to have a child but, for some reasons, on occasion, must have a termination.  That is a devastating thing to happen to a couple who are expecting.  Others think that termination of pregnancy can be used as a form of contraception.  That is not what we are or should ever be about in Northern Ireland.  There are many means of contraception, but termination of pregnancy should never be one.  I read in one of the papers — I hope that it is not accurate — that there is a belief that the law in England allows for termination on the basis of gender.  I assure you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, that, when I was privileged to have my children, I was glad of every one of them, irrespective of whether they were a boy or a girl.  I think that it is despicable that that could ever be the case, and I will wholly resist that ever happening in Northern Ireland.

Photo of Alban Maginness Alban Maginness Social Democratic and Labour Party

Can the Minister explain why there is such a delay in proposals from the Department of Justice on this issue?  It seems to me that that is at the heart of the matter.

Photo of Edwin Poots Edwin Poots DUP

I cannot speak for the Justice Minister or his Department, but I assure the Assembly that I will fully cooperate with the Justice Minister in seeking to bring forward regulation that will ensure that the law as it stands in Northern Ireland is upheld, whether in a Marie Stopes clinic or anywhere else.  It is very important that we have law that is applied fairly, appropriately and consistently, irrespective of where people happen to receive treatment.

Photo of Mitchel McLaughlin Mitchel McLaughlin Sinn Féin

Time is up for questions to the Minister.

Adjourned at 3.29 pm.