National Women’s Health provides first trimester (up to 12.6 weeks at time of referral) termination of pregnancy at the Epsom Day Unit (EDU). The region served by EDU runs from Mercer in the south to Warkworth in the north.
The law
Termination of pregnancy is legal in New Zealand under the provisions of the 1977 Contraception, Sterilizations and Abortion Act and 1961 Crimes Act. The law requires that two medical practitioners - designated certifying consultants appointed under the Act - agree that the pregnancy will seriously harm a woman's physical or mental health.
Referral
Referral to EDU is made by a general practitioner (GP) or from a Family Planning Clinic. The appointment is made by telephone, then the scan and referral letter are faxed through to the clinic. GPs and FPA clinics are aware of referral criteria to the clinic.
Interpreter
If the patient requires an interpreter, please inform the EDU scheduler at the time of making an appointment. There is no charge for this service. Relatives and friends are not able to act as interpreters. Interpreters for women who have impaired hearing can also be arranged.
Process
Termination of pregnancy at EDU requires two appointments – an assessment appointment and a procedure appointment.
Appointment One:
- The first appointment takes two to three hours.
- Patient arrives at her assessment appointment with a valid photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, passport, student ID).
- Patient is also required to present a proof of eligibility for free healthcare services, such as a birth certificate or a passport.
- Assessment includes psychosocial and medical assessment, legal certification, contraceptive prescription and education.
- The patient will be rebooked for Appointment One if she arrives more than 20 minutes late, doesn’t have the required photo ID, doesn’t have proof of eligibility or needs an interpreter.
Appointment Two:
- The second appointment takes about three hours.
- Patient is seen by a surgeon for the second certifying assessment.
- If the surgeon certifies the patient, the surgical termination of pregnancy occurs.
- The procedure is surgical suction curettage under local anaesthetic and conscious sedation.
Waiting times
Waiting time for Appointment One may be a week, depending on how busy the EDU is and the gestation of the pregnancy. Urgent appointments are available for patients referred in the late part of their first trimester. Appointment Two is usually scheduled for between one and seven days after the first.
Counselling and social services
There is no charge for counselling, however you need to book by calling (09) 630 9943 ext 27722. Counselling services provided at EDU include:
- Pregnancy options, including information about adoption and guardianship
- Post-termination counselling
- Domestic violence screening and intervention
- Referral to other agencies
Contact details
Epsom Day Unit
Greenlane Clinical Centre
214 Greenlane West, Gate 1, Epsom
Phone: (09) 631 0740
Fax: (09) 630 9819