Hon Nick Goiran asks a series of questions regarding late-term abortion regulations and practices in Western Australia, specifically concerning approved facilities and instances of procedures performed outside King Edward Memorial Hospital. The Minister's response confirms the regulations and provides data on procedures performed since 1998.

AnsweredQoN 2550Legislative Council
Asked
17 February 2015
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to section 334(7) of the Health Act 1911 , and ask: (a) is it the case that late-term abortions in Western Australia are only permitted if: (i) at least 20 weeks of pregnancy have been completed; (ii) two medical practitioners, who are members of a panel appointed by the Minister for Health, have agreed that the mother, or the unborn child, has a severe medical condition that, in the clinical judgement of those two medical practitioners, justifies the procedure; and (iii) the abortion is performed in a facility approved by the Minister for Health; (b) is King Edward Memorial Hospital the only approved facility in Western Australia for this purpose; (c) if no to (b) , what other facility has been approved; (d) further to (b), does the Minister for Health intend to approve any other facility; and (e) since enactment, have any such late-term abortions occurred at a facility other than King Edward Memorial Hospital?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
17 March 2015
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
28 days
(a)(i) Yes.
(ii) Yes.
(iii) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) No.
(e) Of the procedures performed since 1998 with gestation of 20 weeks or more, one procedure was recorded as being undertaken at a hospital site other than King Edward Memorial Hospital. This was a clinical emergency and was jointly managed by staff from the approved facility and the other tertiary site.
(Source: Abortion Notification System).

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