The announcement from the Countess of Chester Hospital it is to close the termination of pregnancy service has prompted an outcry from Chronicle readers.
Executives at the hospital said the service was no longer ‘clinically, organisationally or financially sustainable.”
Chester MP Chris Matheson has launched a petition calling for the decision to be reversed.
The service could see women having to travel to Liverpool for an abortion.
Here is what Chronicle readers had to say on our Facebook page as the news was revealed.
Sam Jones said: “This is completely stupid. It makes a terrible ordeal even more difficult because travelling out of town for an abortion means that some women won’t be able to access the service. Getting home afterwards would also be hard - they don’t let you go home alone. Absolute nightmare.”
Clare Riley said: “Disgusting, terrible, awful decision. At a time where a woman is most in need, it would be nice to know that they don’t have to travel to get the help they need. I hope they realise they’re wrong.”
Jenni Haken-Aspden said: “Disgusting decision. Countess should be ashamed.”
Ann Charlton-Toye said: “Dreadful decision, there are times when this choice should be available, one of the hardest choices a woman has to make and that support should be there. More money wasted on management, could save a few pounds there.”
Amy Bonsall Redston said: “Yet another example of this Government systematically discriminating against women. This is an absolute disgrace and the decision absolutely must be reversed.”
Sue Cross said: “I thought this was 2015 not 1915. What a retrograde step in health care."
What do you think about the decision by the Countess? Let us know in the comments below
