What action it is taking to ensure that all abortion and other sexual and reproductive health services are fully supportive of women's repr…

In 2011 the Scottish Government launched the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework which sets out five high level outcomes for the NHS and others to deliver in Scotland. These outcomes include that we wish to see fewer sexually transmitted infections and fewer unintended pregnancies in Scotland; that there should be a reduction in health inequalities in sexual health; and that sexual relationships should be free from coercion and harm.
The Scottish Government is investing £29 million per year into Framework activities and is working with local authorities and NHS boards to increase access to sexual health services, including specialist services for young people and those most at risk of poor sexual health; to increase the provision of longer acting reversible contraception; and to reduce the numbers of unintended and teenage pregnancies.
All NHS boards in Scotland provide abortion, and almost all abortions carried out in Scotland are provided by the NHS, unlike in other parts of the UK. The framework specifically states that women who attend for termination should be made aware of the availability of sexual health services and where appropriate that Longer Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) should be provided as well as advice about other methods of contraception. This is supported by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland Sexual Health Standards which set targets for the prescription of intrauterine and implantable contraceptives.
The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework also identifies that high quality, integrated sexual health services should be available throughout Scotland. The government has promoted the integration of sexual health and family planning services in NHS boards, to ensure that specialist services are set up in such a way that they can provide holistic care based on the needs of the individual.