Canary Islands' New Instruction on Abortion Services

Overview

The Canary Islands' health authorities have issued a new instruction to ensure the uniform and proper delivery of abortion services following the recent changes in Spanish law, specifically the Organic Law 1/2023. The regulation emphasizes safeguarding patient data, guaranteeing access to safe and confidential procedures, and recognizes healthcare professionals' right to conscientious objection, provided they register in the new REGOB registry.

Key Developments

A concrete protocol for managing abortions within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Clarification on how women can request the service at both public and private centers.
Detailed information that women must receive.
Strengthened patient confidentiality measures, including:
- Strict control over medical records.
- Data disposal after five years.
- Provisions for emergencies and cases involving significant fetal anomalies.

Emphasis on the importance of informed consent.
Requirement for clear, accessible information tailored to patients' needs.
Inclusion of translations and accessible formats.

Handling Special Cases

Guidelines for managing cases of severe fetal conditions.
Involvement of expert committees to certify diagnoses.
Procedures for urgent cases.

Roles of Healthcare Centers and Administrative Procedures

Procedures for private and public healthcare centers.
Standards for billing and documentation.

Overall Goals

These measures aim to:

Improve access to abortion services.
Protect patient rights.
Adapt clinical practice to new legal standards.

This regulation impacts healthcare providers and women seeking abortion services across the Canary Islands.