I WAS astonished that our normally-astute First Minister allowed herself to be wrong-footed by the Green Party into considering allowing women from Ireland free abortions in Scotland (“Bishop: Sturgeon’s Ulster abortion offer disrespectful”, The Herald, December 6).
Is our Scottish NHS so awash in money that we can afford this? Judging from the staff shortages and lengthy waiting times it would appear not. This procedure is not like popping over to have a tooth out. As I understand it the Abortion Act still requires two doctors to examine the woman and deem she meets the conditions of the Act, or not. Or has a law introducing abortion, on demand, for anyone, from anywhere, been introduced without anyone noticing it? Then there is the procedure itself and the aftercare. So this is not something that comes cheap.
Consideration must also be given as to whether this would set a precedent. Much of our law is based on precedent. Could someone elsewhere in the UK, or even Europe, seek surgery or treatment in Scotland, for any medical condition, that they had been denied in their own health service?
If the First Minister is considering this I assume she will bring it before the Scottish Parliament and allow MSPs to vote on it.
We have seen recently, in the land reform context, how, in that case well-intentioned, legislation can go badly wrong, resulting in disastrous consequences for tenant farmers. Let us try to avoid any more flawed laws being enacted.
Of course, if visitors to Scotland fall ill and require treatment, while they are here, then treatment must be given. It is the humane thing to do. We would not want the American system whereby even a US citizen can collapse, in the street, and treatment will not be given unless the patient proves they can afford it. But pregnancy is not an illness.
Patricia Dishon,
62 Inchview Terrace, Edinburgh.
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