❓ Hon Nick Goiran asks about the number of abortions approved and performed post 20 weeks gestation for Trisomy 21 in WA from 2013-2015. The answer provides limited data due to confidentiality and changes in documentation.
AnsweredQoN 4219Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to answer (4) provided to Hon Nick Goirans question on notice to the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations Department of Health hearing on 16 June 2016, and I ask, were any abortions approved at post 20 weeks gestation for Trisomy 21 in each of the years 2013, 2014, and 2015: (a) if yes to (1), how many post 20 weeks gestation abortions were approved and performed for unborn babies with the diagnosis of Trisomy 21 in: (i) 2013; (ii) 2014; and (iii) 2015? (2) Is the severity of the condition and associated abnormalities detailed in the annual report regarding post 20 week abortions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 September 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Health
Response time
69 days
(1) Yes.
(a) A Panel appointed by the Minister for Health considers applications for induced abortions at 20 weeks gestation or more. Due to changes in documentation processes implemented in 2014, information is only available for 2015 cases. The Panel reports that for each calendar year, the number of abortions at 20 weeks gestation or more with diagnosis of “Trisomy 21” that were approved was:
(i) 2013: not able to be determined.
(ii) 2014: not able to be determined.
(iii) 2015: less than five.*
Medical Practitioners are required to notify the Executive Director Public Health (Department of Health) when an abortion is performed. The Department of Health reports that for each calendar year, the number of abortions at 20 weeks gestation or more with at least one reason being “Trisomy 21” notified was:
(i) 2013: less than five.*
(ii) 2014: less than five.*
(iii) 2015: less than five.*
*Note due to patient confidentiality the response provided did not report figures less than five, in line with the Department of Health’s Guidelines for the Release of Data.
(2) Yes.
(a) A Panel appointed by the Minister for Health considers applications for induced abortions at 20 weeks gestation or more. Due to changes in documentation processes implemented in 2014, information is only available for 2015 cases. The Panel reports that for each calendar year, the number of abortions at 20 weeks gestation or more with diagnosis of “Trisomy 21” that were approved was:
(i) 2013: not able to be determined.
(ii) 2014: not able to be determined.
(iii) 2015: less than five.*
Medical Practitioners are required to notify the Executive Director Public Health (Department of Health) when an abortion is performed. The Department of Health reports that for each calendar year, the number of abortions at 20 weeks gestation or more with at least one reason being “Trisomy 21” notified was:
(i) 2013: less than five.*
(ii) 2014: less than five.*
(iii) 2015: less than five.*
*Note due to patient confidentiality the response provided did not report figures less than five, in line with the Department of Health’s Guidelines for the Release of Data.
(2) Yes.
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