The Marie Stopes clinics have stated they will no longer charge Northern Ireland women travelling to England for abortions.
Marie Stopes UK in a statement on Monday said that following the British government’s commitment to fund abortions for Northern Ireland women through the British National Health Service it will not charge for such terminations after Friday June 30th.
Women from Northern Ireland who have been treated by Marie Stopes UK since that date will be contacted to have their consultation and treatment costs refunded, it said.
"The (British) government has advised us that its decision to fund Northern Irish women was with immediate effect. We are working closely with government partners to establish how this will work in practice, but we believe it is right to remove fees for Northern Irish women while this conversation is ongoing, and to refund women who have received treatment since the announcement," said Sally Bassett, acting managing director at Marie Stopes UK.
"We are delighted to be working with government to implement this change, which will substantially reduce the cost of abortion for Northern Irish women. Ideally these services would be provided in Northern Ireland itself, but until that happens, this is an important step forward."
Between 700 and 800 Northern Ireland women travel to England annually for abortions which cost about £900 per termination.
