An NHS doctor who was banned from providing treatment to reverse abortion for women in crisis pregnancies, is seeking to have the order overturned at the High Court later this month.
Last year, Dr Dermot Kearney, a former President of the Catholic Medical Association (UK), was banned for 18 months from providing emergency abortion pill rescue therapy (APR) which involves administering the natural hormone progesterone to a pregnant woman who wishes to urgently reverse the effects of the first abortion pill, mifepristone.
Christian Legal Centre which is supporting Dr Kearney, says the move by the GMC to prevent him from providing the treatment is believed to be the first time a medical doctor has been prohibited from providing a medication that saves lives.
Dr Kearney will have his case heard at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 February 2022, where lawyers will say the interim order against him should be discharged.
They say that the measures are disproportionate and that the evidence fails to demonstrate that the conditions are necessary for the protection of the public.
Christian Legal Centre says that 32 women who received APR treatment from Dr Kearney have given birth to healthy babies. It claims there has been a spike in demand for APR during the pandemic after the government changed abortion rules to allow the two pills needed for an abortion to be sent to women in the post.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “The ban on Dr Kearney is wrong and should be reversed.
“We have seen many women immediately regret taking the first abortion pill. Dr Kearney offers the possibility of saving the pregnancy when this happens. He should have the freedom to do it.”
Abortion providers claim APR is dangerous and should be banned.