This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the Abortion (Disability Equality) Bill [HL] in the House of Lords on Friday 21 October 2016.
Abortion (Disability Equality) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (161 KB , PDF)
The Abortion (Disability Equality) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Shinkwin (Conservative). The Bill received its first reading in the House of Lords on 25 May 2016, and is scheduled to receive its second reading on 21 October 2016.
The Bill seeks to amend section 1 of the Abortion Act 1967; section 1 details the conditions, or grounds, under which a medical termination of a pregnancy can occur. The Bill would remove one of these grounds, “that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped”, from the 1967 Act.
Abortion (Disability Equality) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (161 KB , PDF)
The government recently announced an independent review of physician and anaesthesia associates to be led by Professor Gillian Leng. This announcement followed a debate about the use of the roles in the NHS and concerns raised by some stakeholders about patient safety. The review has been widely welcomed by stakeholders as a way to move the debate forward.
Fracture liaison services proactively identify people at risk of fractures caused by osteoporosis. Patients can then be assessed and treated to prevent future fractures. The provision of fracture liaison services in England has been called a ‘postcode lottery’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and evidence shows variation in quality and reach. The government has committed to 100% coverage by 2030.
Academic research suggests that mobile phones in schools can adversely affect pupils’ educational attainment and contribute to problems such as bullying. But some experts point to potential learning benefits and argue that a blanket ban on phones could prove ineffective and counterproductive. Government guidance discourages the use of phones in schools but defers to school leaders on prohibiting their use. Most schools in England already have policies limiting the use of phones.
