Terminations by medical practitioner after 22 weeks and 6 days
6 Terminations by medical practitioner after 22 weeks and 6 days
A medical practitioner may perform a termination on a person who is more than 22 weeks and 6 days pregnant if—
the medical practitioner considers that, in all the circumstances—
the termination is necessary to save the life of the pregnant person or save another foetus; or
the continuance of the pregnancy would involve significant risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person; or
there is a case, or significant risk, of serious foetal anomalies associated with the pregnancy; and
a second medical practitioner is consulted and that practitioner considers that, in all the circumstances—
the termination is necessary to save the life of the pregnant person or save another foetus; or
the continuance of the pregnancy would involve significant risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person; or
there is a case, or significant risk, of serious foetal anomalies associated with the pregnancy; and
the termination is performed at a prescribed hospital.
In considering whether a termination is medically appropriate, a medical practitioner must consider—
all relevant medical circumstances; and
the professional standards and guidelines that apply to the medical practitioner in relation to the performance of the termination.
Without limiting section 13 of the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995, a medical practitioner may, in an emergency, perform a termination on a person who is more than 22 weeks and 6 days pregnant, without complying with paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1).
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