An abortion is when a pregnancy is ended. This is done either by surgery or by taking pills to expel the pregnancy. If it is carried out in the early stages of pregnancy, legal abortion is very safe.
You can find more information about abortion, what happens and risks on the NHS website.
Below you will find some important information and commonly asked questions about abortion, as well as what services are available for you here in Leeds.
Click the sections below to find out more information.
Abortion services and confidentiality
Unless you agree, information about your abortion will not be shared with others. However, if your safety or the safety of somebody else is believed to be at risk, the doctor may have to pass on that information.
If you have an abortion, you have a right for that information to remain confidential. This means that unless you agree, none of your information will be shared with others. If you give permission, abortion services like to send a letter to your GP but your GP does not need to know.
Your partner or father of the child has no legal rights to make any decisions about your pregnancy and doesn’t even have to know about your abortion at all. This means that you do not need the agreement of your partner to get an abortion.
If you have learning disabilities or are under the age of 16 you do not have to tell your parents or carers about your abortion. You can choose not to involve your parents or another supportive adult, although you are encouraged to do this. Regardless of the involvement of those caring for you, if the doctors believe that you understand what is involved and whether the decision is in your best interests, you can still have an abortion.
REMEMBER: If your safety or the safety of somebody else is believed to be at risk, the doctor may have to pass on that information.
Please go to the section on advice, support and consultation to see what services are available for you here in Leeds.
Advice, support and consultations
There are plenty of services in Leeds that can offer you help and support if you are considering an abortion. For advice and support including pregnancy choices you can also visit a Leeds Sexual Health clinic.
If you are in Leeds and are eligible for NHS treatment you can self-refer into BPAS, NUPAS or Marie Stopes for an abortion service. This means that you don’t need to go to a GP or sexual health service to be referred.
BPAS Leeds
BPAS – Third Floor, 7 Eastgate, Leeds, LS2 7LY
To contact please call Tel: 03457 30 40 30 (Monday – Friday 8.00am – 5.00pm, Saturday 8.00am – 4.00pm, Sunday 9.30am – 2.30pm). To make a booking online please visit the BPAS booking webpage. BPAS Leeds offers medical abortions up to 10 weeks. If you are above 10 weeks, BPAS Doncaster offer surgical abortion to 24 weeks. BPAS also offer contraception methods, chlamydia screening, HIV screening and pre and post abortion counselling.
To Contact please call Tel: 0345 300 8090 (7.00am – 11.00pm). You can fill in their enquiry form or request a call back, and there is also live chat with an advisor on the MSI website (live chat available 8.00am – 8.00pm Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 4.00pm, Saturday and Sunday): https://www.msichoices.org.uk/
MSI offer medical abortion care up to ten weeks in Leeds. MSI also offer surgical abortion care up to the legal limit (23 weeks and 6 days) in Leeds and in Manchester.
Marie Stopes UK also offers free pre and post abortion counselling, contraception methods, STI testing (including confidential and fast HIV tests), sexual health screening and female sterilisation.
NUPAS Leeds
NUPAS – Rutland Lodge Medical Centre, Scott Hall Road, Leeds, LS7 3DR
To contact please call Tel: 0333 004 6666 seven days a week, 8.00am – 8.00pm. If you visit their website you can request a call back, complete an enquiry form and there is also Live Chat with an advisor https://www.nupas.co.uk/contact-us/
NUPAS offer an Early Medical Abortion service in Leeds up to ten weeks gestation. NUPAS also offer a surgical service to up to 23 weeks and 6 days gestation at the NUPAS Clinic in Bolton. NUPAS also offer contraception methods, chlamydia screening, HIV screening and pre and post abortion counselling.
Abortion Talk
Abortion Talk is a UK charity committed to fighting abortion stigma. Whether you’ve accessed abortion services, are thinking about it, or work in abortion care, they’re here to support you. They make space for the conversations that make people feel heard, valued, and help them find the support they want and need.
Talkline open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7.00pm – 10.00pm (UK time)
There is also the Fertility Control Unit at St James’ Hospital in Leeds. You cannot self-refer into this service because it is for women with an existing medical condition.
Fertility Control Unit
If you are under the age of 19, support with pregnancy choices is also available from the Pregnancy Choices Advocacy Service (Women’s Health Matters) on 07516 524633 or the Teenage Pregnancy Midwife on 07796614116.
What can I expect from these services?
An appointment for consultation within 5 working days of calling the service.
An appointment for procedure within 2 weeks of calling the service.
A consultation to discuss future contraception needs.
Contraception Choices
There are many types of contraception available and none are perfect. The Contraception Choices website provides honest information to help weigh up the pros and cons.
