“Midwives will be able to do it, alone, with just a doctor overall,” says Catherine Vautrin

Abortion has been enshrined in the Constitution, but difficulties persist on a daily basis for women regarding its access. On average, 17% of women cannot have an abortion in their own department due to lack of availability, lack of center or doctor. What concrete responses can we provide to this situation? “I’ve been here since even not two months and I took up a very important point: the capacity for midwives to perform instrumental abortion. Now, since 2016, they could do it for medical abortion, they could not do it for surgery”explains Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Labor, Health and Solidarity, guest of “4 Vérités” on France 2, Thursday March 7.

“I will not touch the conscience clause of doctors”

What will the framework be? “The decree now allows them to do so. […] They will be able to do it, alone, with just one doctor overall, that is to say for example if you are in a place where there are three buildings, it is enough for there to be a doctor in one of the three buildings”, indicates the Minister of Labor, Health and Solidarity. From when ? “From the end of March”she specifies.

What is the goal ? “My goal is that women who want to use [à l’IVG, ndlr] can do it. The more medical or paramedical personnel I have who potentially can do it, the more I have the answer. I believe that what women are waiting for is an answer. […] The necessity is proximity, hence the reinforcement for midwives”indicates Catherine Vautrin.

And about the revaluation of the act? He “was revalued on March 1st, it’s done, it’s official. It was also a subject, it was an act which was poorly valued, so a certain number of professionals did not do it for this reason”, develops the Minister of Labor, Health and Solidarity. Does the government wish to return to the conscience clause for doctors? “No I do not will touch not to the conscience clause of doctors”she promises.