£1m on Abortion Clinic checks

I see shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, is accusing health secretary, Andrew Lansley, of 'acting 'disproportionaely'' after the BBC put a freedom of information request revealed a cost of some £1m and a 'distraction' from its normal duties (and therefore a potential failing of required targets and challenge to funding) for the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Mr Burnham appears to be claiming that this was little more than a cynical attempt on Lansley's part to garner some sort of positive press after such a tough time with his NHS reforms and labels his action against abortion clinics as 'disproportionate'.

Now call me naive but when a minister is approached with information that some (or many) of the abortion clinics were failing to observe the law regarding their services then I would hope that the minister involved would take steps to evaluate and remedy this. Lansley has apparently done the right thing and it is surely made more right by the fact that breaches were found.

Mind you, not trying to be mean-spirited here but who was surprised to find that doctors were 'pre-signing' the paperwork required for approval of an abortion (a blank cheque against in vitro life) and that women were procuring abortion on the grounds of its sex. Next thing you know we'll find some have abortions to ensure that they can maintain financial lifestyles or even go on holiday!!

So, in my book it Lansley 1 - Burnham 0

Of course we have to see what the GMC does about any breaches in practice by the doctors who have been reported to them. I'd suggest that those of you out there who are pro-life don't hold their breaths.

And for those who are pro-choice, it's just an inconvenience that it has been made public I guess.

And the road to the cross is tainted by the legacy of David Steel (the Church of Scotland who advised him) and his 1967 Act. So how many less 'damaged' and 'non-viable' babies are there I wonder (rhetorical - answer is 'none' as the majority of the Act's legacy appears to be all about finance, social engineering and post-coital contraception.

A sad reflection upon our society and its values methinks.

Pax