Dr. Karena Hanley:

It might help if I clarified the current Medical Council ethical guidelines and we can see where that brings us. The most recent edition of the Medical Council guidelines are from 2016 and they state they reflect the legal position on abortion; it is assumed they always will effect the legal position on abortion. The guidelines advise of the duty to provide care, support and follow-up services for women, no matter what choices the women have made. It specifically states this includes those who have had an abortion abroad. It also states a doctor has an ethical obligation not to allow his or her personal moral standards to influence treatment of patients. It goes on to state that where a doctor has a conscientious objection to a course of action, the doctor must explain this to the patient and must make available the names of other doctors to the patient so the service can be provided. I imagine the ethical guidelines will adapt to changes in a similar fashion.