Hospital access zone sought to facilitate abortion services
A measure to implement a safety zone around Noble's Hospital could be approved in Tynwald tomorrow - ahead of new Manx abortion laws which come into force this week.
Members will be asked to approve an Order creating an access zone in and around the hospital, in line with the provisions of the Abortion Reform Act 2019, to give legal protection to patients and those providing abortion services.
If approved, the Access to Abortion Services (Noble’s Hospital Access Zone) Order 2019 will come into force on Friday.
The access zone comprises the entire Noble’s estate, including the land on which the hospital stands, and public roads within 100 metres of the site.
The Order - if approved and once the Act comes into operation - creates a number of offences. It will be unlawful for instance to interfere, impede or repeatedly communicate with a person without their consent in the access zone, having been warned not to do so by a constable.