No public register of abortion doctors because of protest fears

NO public register of GPs who provide abortion services will be created, so they will have ‘an extra layer of protection’ from anti-abortion protesters, Department of Health sources say.

Officials fear some medics will be reluctant to offer abortions amid concerns they will targeted.

Instead of a register, a 24/7 helpline will be established, through which callers can be directed to the nearest service. The provision will be part of a suite of measures to establish ‘safe access zones’ involving doctors and clinics that offer abortions. The plan will be brought to Cabinet in the New Year.

A memo to Cabinet by Health Minister Simon Harris, seen by the Irish Daily Mail, says the safe zones would protect medics and patients from being ‘subjected to unwanted communications by any means, including oral, written and/or visual displays’.

A Government source said: ‘There are no plans to publicly name GPs who are providing the service. The helpline will be able to refer people to them privately, but we have decided against creating a public register, to offer them an extra layer of protection. There is a concern doctors are hesitant to put their names forwards because they might be targeted for abuse.

‘We all remember the levels of vitriol directed at pro-choice TDs during the campaign, and presumably, that’s playing on the minds of doctors. For example, if they are in rural areas like Donegal or Cork, they could be the only ones providing the service for miles, and that could be isolating for them and make it easier for them to be targeted.’

Meanwhile, department officials are confident that there will be enough healthcare professionals willing to provide the service. ‘Between the HSE, the Irish Family Planning Association, Well Women Clinics etc, we’re confident the service will be properly rolled out’ a source said.

Some believe that women will be less inclined to go to their local GPs about the issue, rather than clinics or hospitals.