Update 7.43pm: Cora Sherlock of the Pro-Life Campaign has stated that “it’s very disturbing that the ending of a human life is being live-tweeted today”.
Update 4.32pm: The woman who has been live-tweeting her experience of travelling abroad for an abortion has completed the procedure, according to the Two Women Travel Twitter feed.
Friend is out & safe. Procedure was quick & staff very warm. Our love to you all. @EndaKennyTD failed us. You did not. #twowomentravel
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
Feeling so humbled, catching up on mails in taxi.This is inspiring women 2 share their experiences #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/qRYxwzGivB
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
Actor and writer Tara Flynn, who has spoken publicly about having an abortion abroad, said that the women have taken a courageous step.
“I hated that my privacy is gone, personally, and I’m glad that these women’s identities aren’t known,” she said.
“They have still given up their privacy though. And in fact, when you get pregnant in Ireland, especially if it’s a crisis pregnancy, you do give up your privacy, you give up your autonomy, you become the subject of a debate, everyone rows in and gives their opinion on your body on your actual self, and we can’t continue in that way.”
To the women from Munster with us as we waited. Strong and brave. Like all who have braved this journey b4 us. #twowomentravel @EndaKennyTD
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
Earlier:
Two women have started documenting their journey from Ireland to Manchester for an abortion on social media today.
The Two Women Travel campaign is aimed at encouraging the Government to repeal the eighth amendment.
The law gives equal rights to the life of the unborn and pregnant woman and is due to be discussed at the citizens assembly this Autumn.
#twowomentravel boarding, it's chilly. @EndaKennyTD pic.twitter.com/mffXYkpI71
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
The hashtag #twowomentravel is now trending on Twitter.
Today, @TwoWomenTravel but you're not on your own in this. So many people are with you. X
— James Corden (@JKCorden) August 20, 2016
All tweets are being directed at the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
We stand in solidarity with all women exiled by @EndaKennyTD, his predecessors, his apologists. #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/lipWBwdViA
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
It comes as Marie Stopes International has suspended its services for girls under the age of 18 after the UK’s health watchdog raised safety concerns.
A number of other services offered by Marie Stopes International (MSI) have also been halted to make sure patients are protected from potential harm when undergoing pregnancy terminations.
These include the suspension of terminations under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation, and the suspension of all surgical terminations at the provider’s Norwich centre.
The intervention by the UK’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) means 250 women will be sent to other providers.
Pretty ordinary sights, in a place away from home. Can't say it's comforting, though @EndaKennyTD #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/3FTxYGAG1y
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
Marie Stopes International is required to keep the restrictions in place until it has assured the regulator it has appropriate systems in place to care for all of its patients safely.
Professor Edward Baker, deputy chief inspector of hospitals at the CQC, said: “Given the nature of the concerns we identified on our inspections, it is right that Marie Stopes International has suspended a number of its services.
“At all times, our priority is to ensure that patients get safe, high-quality and compassionate care. We believe that the action taken is appropriate to address our concerns.
“We will continue to monitor these services very closely and we will not hesitate to take further action, if needed.
“We will report fully and publicly on our inspection findings as soon as our regulatory process has concluded and we are able to do so.”
Now a waiting room,weighted by bated breaths.@EndaKennyTD we could be home by noon in another world. #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/1Sqytx6pgM
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
After planned inspections, the CQC identified a number of concerns linked to the provider’s governance arrangements and subsequently carried out an unannounced inspection of Marie Stopes International’s corporate headquarters in England last month and of its call centre on August 12.
The concerns raised related to poor governance arrangements, giving rise to specific immediate concerns relating to the lack of assurance in MSI, in areas such as consent and safeguarding, and the lack of assurance in relation to training and competence in conscious sedation and general anaesthesia.
Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS England’s national medical director, said: “This will be an anxious time for those women affected and we are taking immediate action to ensure everybody involved has access to the appropriate confidential advice and services.”
The restrictions will take effect immediately and NHS England has set up a confidential helpline on 0300 123 1041 from 9am to 5pm at weekends and 9am to 8pm during the week.
Patients who have already been booked in for procedures that have now been restricted are being contacted so they receive their care at an alternative provider.
Unxpectd change of venue.#twowomentravel more thn originally anticipated.Hit us back th taxi [email protected]?Sound pic.twitter.com/LbI76TYBTa
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
England’s Shadow health secretary Diane Abbott said: “Marie Stopes is a large and trusted provider that thousands of young and vulnerable women rely on. The suspension of these services will affect up to 250 women a week.
“We cannot downplay the psychological and physical harm that may result from cancelled or delayed procedures.
. @EndaKennyTD waiting room no. 2. Feel might collapse from exhaustion.No sleep. Friend calm.Brave. #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/OqWSOdYCtt
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
“I am very concerned as to how the transfer of services will be managed. The Government must urgently provide assurances that timely treatment will be delivered by appropriate service providers.
“Women have a fundamental right to choose and currently there are far too many disturbing trends that would appear to whittle away at these rights.”
Hey @EndaKennyTD where u watching the Olympics from?Out for a tense lonely lunch.No sleep,no food.#twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/lDaI3mkqVD
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
Forced 2 leave Ireland, @EndaKennyTD joined by more Irish in waiting room,waiting for our loved ones #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/19FNUacPJD
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
