Abortion Services in Scotland are provided by NHS Boards. If you normally live in Northern Ireland, and travel to any part of Scotland to access abortion services, the Health Board in that area must care for you, or make arrangements for you to be cared for, in line with the 1967 Abortion Act.
Abortion services in Scotland are different to those in England. For example, although some clinics in England provide a 1-day early medical abortion service (you are given both medications on the same day) this service is not provided in Scotland.
You should also be aware that, although patients who live in Scotland can be given the second abortion drug (misoprostol) to take at home if they meet certain criteria, women who normally live in Northern Ireland will have to return to the clinic to take the second medication.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition it is very important that you discuss this with your clinician who will advise you of any impact this may have on your choice of procedure and what to expect.
In Scotland abortions are generally not available at 20 weeks gestation or later, and for some Boards the limit is at a lower gestation. Just like women in Scotland, if you find out that the Board cannot provide you with an abortion, they will support you to access services in England.
If you would like further information on what to expect when you go for an abortion you can find information here https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/surgical-procedures/abortion# or alternatively you can watch a short film here https://vimeo.com/195506081
| Board | Contact information |
|---|---|
|
Ayrshire & Arran |
Call the abortion clinic day ward directly on 01563 825329 or if you would prefer you can contact the sexual health clinic on 01294 323226 for assistance |
|
Borders |
You should contact the sexual health service for advice and referral on 01896 663700 |
|
Dumfries & Galloway |
Call the Antenatal Clinic, Cresswell Maternity Wing, Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary on 01387 241200 (Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 16:30) |
|
Fife |
Call the clinic secretary on 01592 643355 ext 21576 |
|
Forth Valley |
Contact the abortion clinic directly by calling 01324 673555, Monday to Friday, between 08:00 – 17:00 |
|
Grampian |
Call the abortion clinic administrator on01224 655535 (Monday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm) they will take your details and a pregnancy advisory nurse will contact you later the same day |
|
Greater Glasgow and Clyde |
Call the abortion service direct on calling 0141 211 8620. |
|
Highland |
Contact the Social Gynaecology service directly on 01463 705667 |
|
Lanarkshire |
Call the sexual health clinic appointment line on 0300 303 0251 (Line open Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.) |
|
Lothian (Edinburgh) |
Call the abortion clinic directly 0131 536 2105 |
|
Orkney |
You should contact a GP in the first instance who will be able to make a referral (to a mainland clinic) for you. A list of GPs in Orkney can be found here : http://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/service/gp-practices |
|
Shetland |
You should contact a GP in the first instance who will be able to make a referral (to a mainland clinic) for you. A list of GPs in Shetland can be found here : http://www.shb.scot.nhs.uk/community/index.asp |
|
Tayside |
You can call the Ninewells Gynaecology Assessment Unit 01382 632761, Ward 36 (Gynaecology) 01382 633836 or Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI): Gynaecology Ward: 01738 473246 Alternatively you can contact the sexual health service on 01382 425 542 who can make a referral for you. |
|
Western Isles |
You should contact a GP in the first instance who will be able to make a referral (to a mainland clinic, usually Glasgow or Inverness ) for you. A list of GPs in Western Isles can be found here : http://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/our-hospitals-and-other-healthcare-premises |
