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Prescribing or dispensing abortion medication

Disclaimer
The content provided on this page is intended for use by health professionals. It is not tailored for the general public and should not be interpreted as personal medical advice. If you are not a healthcare professional and have concerns or questions regarding your health or a medical condition, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider.

This page has information for GPs, nurse practitioners, endorsed (authorised) midwives and pharmacists who are interested in training to prescribe or dispense medical abortion medication.

You can qualify to prescribe by completing the Marie Stopes Australia training.

When you have completed training

Your local HeathPathways team will add you to:

  • their GP colleague or health practitioner referral list, or
  • their list of MS-2 Step Dispensing Pharmacies (for pharmacists).

Conscientious objection

A health practitioner with a conscientious objection may decline to participate in providing abortion services. A health practitioner who declines service must immediately tell a person requesting the abortion that they refuse due to a conscientious objection and provide a referral.

A health practitioner must:

  • give information about how to find or contact another health practitioner (or health service) who they reasonably believe can provide the abortion service, or
  • transfer the person’s care to another health practitioner (or health service) who they reasonably believe can provide the abortion service.

This is a legal requirement.

Referring your patients for an abortion

HealthPathways has information on termination of pregnancy, including a referral pathway which lists:

  • some local GP or health practitioner referral options
  • local service providers
  • MS-2 Step dispensing pharmacies.

Exclusion zones

Exclusion zones are protected areas of a set distance around a facility that provides medical and surgical abortions.

An exclusion zone ensures privacy and unimpeded access to anyone entering or leaving the facility between 7am and 6pm.

MSI Australia is the only facility in the ACT with an exclusion zone. It has a 50 metre exclusion zone in place to allow patients to access the facility without fear of demonstrations or protests.

Applying for an exclusion zone

You can apply to have an exclusion zone around your facility.

A declaration is made by the ACT Minister for Health.

To apply for an exclusion zone, contact the ACT Minister for Health.

Go to abortion information for consumers.