Are cut backs creating a crisis in contraceptive services?
New government figures released this month, reveal that the abortion rate increased last year by 3.9%. This compares with a rise of just 0.4% between 2004 and 2005. The Family Planning Association argues that more women are having abortions because it is becoming harder to access contraception. They say that many specialist clinics have been closed in recent years. So, are contraceptive services in crisis, as the FPA claims? And what should be done to improve the availability of contraception? Jenni discusses these questions with Toni Belfield, Director of Information at the Family Planning Association, Dr Penny Oakeley who worked, until recently, as a family planning clinician in London and Dr Howard Stoate MP, a member of the Commons Health Select Committee.
