London tops abortion league

HEALTH SERVICES

Abortion rates in London are twice the national average, according to the first comprehensive report into abortion and contraceptive services.

Each day, 170 women in London have an abortion, and a further 330 take the "morning-after" pill. The Health of Londoners Project says that of the 400 women who become pregnant every day in London, only half intend to - but high levels of late abortions, and the fact that in some places fewer than half of abortions are funded by the NHS, suggests that there is difficulty obtaining access to the service. "Our report shows a patchwork of NHS services with almost a complete lack of co-ordination between family planning clinics and GPs, particularly in the inner-city areas where the need is greatest," said Dr Bobbie Jacobson, director of Public Health for East London and the City Health Authority.

Contraception and Abortion in London: Are we meeting the need?, from Health of Londoners Project, East London & The City Health Authority, Tredegar House, 97-99 Bow Road, London E3 2AN; pounds 15.