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An 18-year-old from Northern Ireland endured a distressing experience after being mistakenly sent to England for an abortion that could have been provided locally, her mother has shared. The young woman, identified only as Olivia to protect her identity, was 18 weeks pregnant at the time and required medical termination. However, due to confusion by the booking service over the availability of abortion services in Northern Ireland, she was referred to a clinic in London instead of being treated closer to home.
Abortion services in Northern Ireland are legally accessible up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Despite this, the booking process, managed by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), led to Olivia being sent to England unnecessarily. Her mother described the situation as “traumatic,” particularly because Olivia was forced to wait for her flight home while experiencing bleeding and cramping following the procedure. Olivia was preparing for her A-level exams when the ordeal occurred in 2025, making the experience even more challenging for her and her family.
Figures from 2023 indicate that 145 women from Northern Ireland traveled to England or Wales for abortions, including 60 who were less than 12 weeks pregnant. Emma Campbell from pro-choice charity Alliance for Choice highlighted that many women might be unaware that local services exist. “We have a great team of doctors, midwives, nurses, who are all voluntarily willing to do this service,” she told BBC News NI, adding that a lack of public information and the absence of a local booking system contribute to the confusion. Campbell emphasized that “some people are just not getting access to it,” pointing to systemic flaws that result in unnecessary travel.
The Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland officially commissioned abortion services at the end of 2022 and has been working to raise awareness about how to access care locally. It contracts BPAS as a central access point, which then refers women to the appropriate local health trust. The DoH acknowledged ongoing meetings with BPAS to discuss referral pathways and expects that with improved services and information, the number of women traveling outside Northern Ireland for abortion care will decrease. Meanwhile, political voices like Alliance Party’s health spokesperson Nuala McAllister have expressed concern over the number of women forced to travel, emphasizing the urgent need for clearer information and easier access to local services.
Olivia’s mother detailed the difficult circumstances her daughter faced in England. Olivia was told that travel and accommodation costs for herself and a companion would be covered; she chose to travel with her boyfriend. The procedure spanned two days and required Olivia to stay in a hotel, alone and uncertain about what would happen next, facing physical discomfort without family support nearby. Following the procedure under general anaesthetic, Olivia had to wait hours in an airport bleeding and cramping before flying home. Her mother described the process as deeply upsetting and criticized the system for this avoidable hardship. Initially, the family had to cover the travel expenses upfront, but after nearly a year of delays, they have now been reimbursed
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