START (Southern Taskforce on Abortion and Reproductive Topics) has called for funding for peer support for GPs providing termination of pregnancy (ToP) services.
The voluntary group provides unfunded peer support to GPs and answers logistical and other queries about abortion services. More than 500 clinicians are members.
Dr Trish Horgan, co-founder of START, told the
Medical Independent that the group receives queries from GPs every day.
The questions are answered via a messaging group whose members include GPs, hospital coordinators, and obstetricians.
“Today, for example, we received five queries before lunchtime. It’s often logistical issues, such as new providers coming on board who might not be aware where scans are performed and provided,” Dr Horgan explained.
She said the community-based ToP service is well embedded and overall is running well. “But it still needs significant support, particularly peer support to GPs providing the service. There are bespoke challenges to providing the service and providing it in a timely way.”
Every clinician providing support through START is doing so alongside their daily work.
“It’s challenging to keep the support going in the absence of any formal supports from the HSE. But at the same time, we think it’s really important because sometimes the GPs providing the service are quite isolated geographically.”
Dr Horgan also referred to the need for a clinical lead for abortion services in primary care.
A HSE spokesperson said it was not currently considering the introduction of a dedicated clinical lead for primary care abortion services.
The spokesperson added that the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme had not received a formal request for funding to establish a peer support mechanism for GPs.
“However, [it] is open to reviewing proposals in this regard to ensure all healthcare professionals involved in the continuum of care are appropriately supported in carrying out their roles.”
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