Serious problems have been uncovered at Marie Stopes International, the provider of a third of UK abortions.
A new 50-page report from the watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that there was a lack of oversight and training, potentially putting women at risk.
In August, the CQC’s concerns led Marie Stopes to suspend several services until October, including the provision of abortions to under-18s and vulnerable women.
The new report, presented by Professor Sir Mike Richards, Chief Inspector of Hospitals, found a “lack of oversight” in the signing of permission slips for abortion. The law states that two clinicians must sign the forms, based on their assessment of the woman’s mental and physical condition.
