Free telehealth service for abortion support

eHealthNews.nz: Digital Patient

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

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Decide logo The government has launched a national abortion telehealth service called Decide.

Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says the service will connect people to abortion information, advice and counselling over the phone, from health practitioners anywhere in the country.

Abortion telehealth services are already offered by some DHBs and expanding this service nationally is a huge step in improving access to abortion services, she says.

“In-person care will always be offered, but it’s important that other options are available as well where suitable,” says Verrall.

“Telehealth makes it easier for people to reach the services and support that already exist, particularly those who find it difficult to visit a doctor or clinic. It also gives assurance to health practitioners that their patients have additional sources of support.”

Decide will be rolled out in three phases. Referrals and information about abortion services will be available from 26 April, 2022. Follow-up care and abortion-related counselling will be available from 1 July 2022.

The final phase, set for November 2022, includes telemedicine and will provide clinical consultations for an early medical abortion over the phone and couriering medications.

“As part of the telemedicine service, people will be able to immediately talk to a practitioner willing to provide abortion services, removing a key barrier for some people,” Verrall says.

All patients of this service will be part of an active follow up process and services will be available via the free, dedicated number 0800 DECIDE.

Decide will be led by Family Planning and Magma Healthcare and a new website will be active from 26 April.

The Abortion Legislation Bill, passed in March 2020, decriminalised abortion, shifted the regulation of abortion services to the Ministry of Health and enabled abortion care to be provided in a wider range of settings.

The Government has also lifted some of the funding restrictions on abortion medication, which enabled a wider range of health practitioners like GPs and nurses, to prescribe them.