Rochdale abortions increase

Department of Health figures for the area's primary care trust show that 695 abortions were carried out last year compared with 665 in 2006.

Nationally the number of terminations across England and Wales rose from 193,700 to 198,500 last year — a 2.5 per cent increase.

In terms of age, Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton figures show that almost a third of the abortions (213) were carried out on 20 to 24-year-olds.

90 were on under-18s and another 92 teenagers either 18 or 19 had a termination.

The statistics also reveal that 129 women aged between 25 and 29 had an abortion, 94 people aged 30 to 34, and another 77 who were over 35.

Health bosses are looking at ways to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in both teenagers and adults in Rochdale, including expanding sexual health teams and increasing access to free emergency contraception.

Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: “Our priority is to reduce the time women have to wait for an abortion at what is already a very difficult time for them.

“These statistics show that we have made considerable progress in this, with more than two-thirds of women having their abortion at under 10 weeks in 2007, up from half in 2002.

“Contraception plays a vital role in preventing teenage pregnancy.

“And earlier this year I announced a further investment of £26.8 million to improve women’s access to contraception and to help to reduce the number of abortions, repeat abortions and teenage pregnancies.”

The figures come weeks after the House of Commons rejected attempts to reduce the abortion limit from 24 weeks.