Our abortion service – call 01733 673758
COVID-19
You are still able to access our abortion service. We have made some changes to the service to minimise infection risk to you, our other patients and our staff. During this time, we can offer:
A telephone or video call with you to discuss your medical history, explain procedures and discuss treatment plans.
Under 10 weeks pregnancy - you may be sent abortion medication in the post without the need for an ultrasound.
Support person - you may not be able to bring a support person with you to clinic, please ask our staff for the up to date hospital policy
We will continue to do our best to accommodate your treatment choice, but please be aware this may not always be possible. We apologise for any distress these changes may cause in these exceptional times. Please speak to our nurses if you have any further questions.
You are still able to access our abortion service. We have made some changes to the service to minimise infection risk to you, our other patients and our staff. During this time, we can offer:
A telephone or video call with you to discuss your medical history, explain procedures and discuss treatment plans.
Under 10 weeks pregnancy - you may be sent abortion medication in the post without the need for an ultrasound.
Support person - you may not be able to bring a support person with you to clinic, please ask our staff for the up to date hospital policy
We will continue to do our best to accommodate your treatment choice, but please be aware this may not always be possible. We apologise for any distress these changes may cause in these exceptional times. Please speak to our nurses if you have any further questions.
We have abortion clinics at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, and you can contact us direct to make an appointment. This is called self-referral which means you don't need to have an appointment with your GP first.
We offer abortion up to 18 weeks of pregnancy, where you will be cared for by our specialist staff who have many years of experience looking after women going through this journey. We understand that this can be a difficult and challenging time for some women, we are here to offer you all the support you need.
are you pregnant and unsure about continuing?
Sometimes things don't go according to plan. An unplanned pregnancy can be frightening, stressful and a cause of great anxiety resulting in having to make difficult decisions.
You may be able to talk to friends and family, or you may not be able to talk to anyone. We have a highly trained Counsellor that can support you to consider your options.
The service we provide is patient-centred. and you will be given sufficient time to make your decisions. If you have made your decision and want to proceed to abortion treatment, then we will respond as quickly as we can, so that we don't cause any more undue stress.
You may be able to talk to friends and family, or you may not be able to talk to anyone. We have a highly trained Counsellor that can support you to consider your options.
The service we provide is patient-centred. and you will be given sufficient time to make your decisions. If you have made your decision and want to proceed to abortion treatment, then we will respond as quickly as we can, so that we don't cause any more undue stress.
how do i make an appointment?
You can make the appointment by calling 01733 673758. Tell us if you would like a Counsellor or Assessment appointment and you will be given a date in the first instance, to go through a telephone assessment. Once two doctors have reviewed and agreed your treatment, we will either:
- send the medicines to your home address/arrange for you to collect (if no ectopic risk factors and less than 10 weeks).
- arrange for you to attend for an ultrasound and further discussion on treatment.
- send the medicines to your home address/arrange for you to collect (if no ectopic risk factors and less than 10 weeks).
- arrange for you to attend for an ultrasound and further discussion on treatment.
confidentiality policy
We know that this is very personal to you, and we offer a confidential service. Only the people involved in your care will access your notes.
The only exception to confidentiality, is if we feel you are being harmed, or intend to harm someone else.
The only exception to confidentiality, is if we feel you are being harmed, or intend to harm someone else.
under 16 year-old patients
We do encourage younger patients to involve parents or an older family member. Going through a termination is difficult and we want to make sure you have support. However, if you are able to understand the treatment and possible risks involved, then you can still be treated without telling your mum or dad.
if i choose to have a counselling appointment - what will happen?
The counsellor would offer an hour long appointment to consider your concerns, fears, circumstances and hopefully allow you to reach a decision. If you decide to continue the pregnancy we will direct you back to your GP for maternity booking. If you decide not to continue this pregnancy we will give you an assessment appointment.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE TELEPHONE APPOINTMENT?
The telephone assessment will take about 30-40 minutes. Please make sure you read the leaflet on the website before the call, to put together your questions. Make sure you are able to find somewhere private to take the call and keep a pen and paper handy to write down any notes. At the end of the telephone call, we will send you the medicines to take at home (if suitable) or book an appointment for you to come in to see us, where an ultrasound scan will carried out (you will not see or hear anything on the screen). We will complete any other investigations when you attend the Unit, and ensure you understand the treatment options.
Legally, we cannot carry out your treatment until two different doctors have agreed that your reasons satisfy the Abortion Act. Treatment will start when both doctors have agreed and completed the Abortion Act paperwork.
Legally, we cannot carry out your treatment until two different doctors have agreed that your reasons satisfy the Abortion Act. Treatment will start when both doctors have agreed and completed the Abortion Act paperwork.
What are the treatment options?
There are three different treatments for an abortion: tablets (medical), a procedure in the outpatients department (where you are awake), or a procedure in the theatre (where you are asleep). Deciding what treatment is the right option for you will depend on how many weeks into the pregnancy you are, any medical problems and your personal choice. During COVID, the procedure in theatre (asleep) is reduced for early gestations. Please see the treatment tab under ‘abortion’ for more information
what happens at my clinic appointment?
During your telephone consultation, the nurse will carry out a medical assessment. If the nurse feels it is appropriate, you will be asked to attend for an ultrasound scan to determine the pregnancy size as well as ensure it is in the womb. Please be assured that you will not see or hear anything during the ultrasound.
A nurse will speak with you after the scan, answer any questions and find out what you want to do next. During your visit the nurse will offer any appropriate blood or urine tests, such as Chlamydia, and if you decide to continue to treatment, she will explain consent and possible treatment risks.
If you are having tablet treatment at home, we may be able to start the first part of the treatment at this appointment. If you are having a procedure or tablets in hospital, we will arrange an appointment date and time for you to have your treatment.
This appointment (including the ultrasound scan and the nurse consultation) may take around 1 hour 30 mins in total.
A nurse will speak with you after the scan, answer any questions and find out what you want to do next. During your visit the nurse will offer any appropriate blood or urine tests, such as Chlamydia, and if you decide to continue to treatment, she will explain consent and possible treatment risks.
If you are having tablet treatment at home, we may be able to start the first part of the treatment at this appointment. If you are having a procedure or tablets in hospital, we will arrange an appointment date and time for you to have your treatment.
This appointment (including the ultrasound scan and the nurse consultation) may take around 1 hour 30 mins in total.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE PETERBOROUGH AND HINCHINGBROOKE HOSPITALS?
We understand that this is possibly one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make. We know that you possibly don't want to be pregnant now, but don't want to have to go through an termination either. We just want to support you to make the decision that is right for you – whatever that decision is.
We have to work under a legal framework, but we will do whatever we can within that to make this experience as private and personal as we can. Our treatments will also be carried out in Peterborough so at least you don't need to add travelling to the stress that you already have.
We have to work under a legal framework, but we will do whatever we can within that to make this experience as private and personal as we can. Our treatments will also be carried out in Peterborough so at least you don't need to add travelling to the stress that you already have.
WHAT IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS?
We will answer your questions as we go through the assessment procedure. We back all the information up with leaflets that you can take home with you. You can also phone us if you have any further questions about abortion or appointments
IS MY TREATMENT FREE?
If you are normally entitled to NHS care, then your treatment is free. If you are a recent visitor to the UK, then please tell us when you call for your appointment, so we can check you are eligible for NHS treatment.
Because we can give you an appointment within the week and we believe the service you will receive with us is excellent and caring, there is little advantage to paying for a private abortion.
Because we can give you an appointment within the week and we believe the service you will receive with us is excellent and caring, there is little advantage to paying for a private abortion.