Evaluating MyOptions : Experiences of Ireland’s Abortion Information and Support Service

BackgroundThe Irish government enacted a new, significantly liberalised law on abortion in 2018 and doctors began providing abortion care in January 2019. The Irish public health service, the Health Service Executive, established a dedicated abortion information and support service called MyOptions to facilitate abortion access and provide non-directive counselling and clinical advice. The service does not make appointments for abortion seekers. In 2020, the Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC), an Irish grassroots advocacy organisation, researched Irish residents’ experiences of abortion care, including using MyOptions. MethodsARC collected data using an online survey between September 2020 and March 2021. The survey gathered qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data was coded and analysed using NVIVO software following a grounded theory approach. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively. ResultsRespondents’ reported varied understandings and experiences of using MyOptions. Many were not aware of the service before they needed to access abortion care. Some respondents described MyOptions as useful and compassionate. Other respondents described a lack of clarity from MyOptions about the scope and nature of its service and scant information about how to obtain an abortion after 12 weeks, including for medical reasons. Respondents reported that the need to contact General Practitioners (GPs) on their own was stressful, intimidating, and time-consuming, as was GPs’ refusals to provide referrals to abortion providers.ConclusionsMyOptions benefits abortion seekers who are under 12 weeks and are comfortable contacting a GP. It works less well for people who do not fit these criteria. An ‘appointments booking’ service could resolve some of these issues. Guidance on how to access abortion for medical reasons and abortion after 12 weeks would also improve the service