Our Services
Tuesday, 02, Dec 2008 05:50
BPAS treats all clients with dignity and respect and provides confidential, non-judgmental services
ABORTION CARE
BPAS provides abortion care at eight clinics and four daycare units. Pregnancy testing, counselling and consultation to establish appropriate and acceptable care is offered at 33 consultation centres.
BPAS offers a choice of abortion methods appropriate to the gestation of the pregnancy. In early pregnancy, BPAS offers early medical abortion and vacuum aspiration procedures under local or general anaesthetic. In later pregnancies, clinics offer a surgical alternative to medical induction whenever possible.
BPAS provides abortion care on behalf of more than 60 NHS health authorities and trusts and is responsible for almost two thirds of NHS-funded abortions undertaken by specialist agencies.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
BPAS was the first service provider to encourage its doctors to provide emergency 'after sex' contraceptive pills (ECPs) in advance of a woman's need to use them. Doctors at BPAS consultation centres will also prescribe ECPs to women who have already risked pregnancy. A supply of ECPs is offered routinely to women attending BPAS clinics for abortion.
STERILISATION AND VASECTOMY
BPAS is able to provide female sterilisation procedures using local or general anaesthetic with the choice of daycare treatment or an overnight stay. Vasectomy is usually provided as a daycare procedure using local anaesthetic. Both procedures are available regardless of age, parity or marital status. Vasectomy reversal is also available.
SPECIALIST FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
In some areas BPAS provides a specialist contraceptive service by arrangement with the local NHS.
INFORMATION
BPAS provides accurate, balanced information on matters relating to unwanted pregnancy. Briefing papers on relevant medical, legal, demographic and ethical issues are circulated to policy makers and opinion formers. The press office provides comment and support for journalists and researchers.
EDUCATION
BPAS organises seminars and symposia for health professionals, administrators and policy makers to facilitate the dissemination of new ideas and research.
BPAS provides speakers for conferences and workshops and produces materials to assist students.
POLICY FORMATION
BPAS works closely with the individuals and organisations responsible for reproductive health care policies. These include the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Department of Health. BPAS uses its experience of caring for women with unwanted pregnancy to inform those responsible for public policy on reproductive health issues.
ADVOCACY
BPAS seeks opportunities to advocate the need for safe, legal abortion care for all those who wish to use it. BPAS supports those seeking to make abortion more easily accessible throughout Britain and to those working for the legalisation of abortion in the North and South of Ireland. BPAS advises the All-Party Pro-Choice Group of parliamentarians and is a member of the Pro-Choice Alliance network.
www.bpas.org