Abortion is legal right across the country, but doctors fear an "unspoken ban" is robbing rural and regional women of the right to choose. An ABC investigation has revealed patients are being denied equitable access, due to a range of reasons, including ideological positions, unclear guidelines and a lack of government funding.
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00:00Reflective, but still reeling, Melissa's carefully planned surgical abortion was upended by a
00:09phone call just hours before she was due to be admitted to hospital.
00:14He just basically said, I'm really sorry, we can't do the procedure today.
00:18I was broke down, I was like, what do you mean, where does that leave me?
00:23On the phone was her obstetrician.
00:25I could tell he was baffled by the whole situation and he didn't understand why it hadn't happened.
00:32Melissa's surgical termination was meant to be performed here at Queenbeyan District Hospital
00:37in southern New South Wales.
00:39Her baby had severe, life-limiting malformations.
00:43This hospital had performed the same procedure under similar circumstances before.
00:48But the ABC can reveal that since Melissa's experience, the hospital suddenly stopped
00:53providing surgical terminations for foetal anomalies and medical reasons.
00:57Melissa's GP says there's been no explanation of the late cancellation, despite repeated
01:03requests to the local health district.
01:06She fears an ideological opposition to abortion could ultimately be behind it.
01:11It feels like you're shadowboxing, that there's a pushback and you're not really sure why,
01:16and that's very frustrating.
01:18The local health district says it supports women to access abortion services, including
01:23medical termination of pregnancy.
01:26Doctors are calling it an unspoken ban.
01:29In Orange, the local members also seeking answers, after the hospital there stopped
01:34providing abortions for non-medical reasons.
01:37This is something that's permitted under law, it's a public health institution.
01:41The local health district that oversees Orange has confirmed it is sending women seeking
01:46abortions for non-medical reasons to private providers or family planning.
01:51The power lies with the minister and with the health department.
01:55And it's really important that they ensure that this essential health care is delivered.
02:00Melissa eventually had a medical abortion at her local hospital.
02:05Ultimately though, she was denied the right to choose.