The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) says it is ‘deeply concerned’ about protests by anti-abortion campaigners outside medical centres where the procedures may take place and has thrown its weight behind legislation to introduce 150m buffer zones where protesters will be banned.

Now in its consultation stage, the bill proposed by Green MSP Gillian Mackay, is championed by the campaign group, Back Off Scotland, who have provided impact statements. The consultation being run on the bill – which aims to protect people from anti-abortion protests and intimidation outside medical centres – will conclude at the start of August.

The RCGP has now joined the call for abortion clinic protest buffer zones to be implemented, noting the “increasing reports of protest at healthcare settings” in their response and adding that there is inadequate legal protection against this continual abuse.

Dr Chris Williams, Joint Chair of RCGP Scotland, said:

“RCGP Scotland is proud to add our support to the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill.

“We agree that these protests should not take place at healthcare settings, where patients have the right to access abortion care free from fear and healthcare staff have the right to work free from harassment.”

He added that the medical professionals at these facilities provide safe advice and care, and the undermining of such advice by these protests is “dangerous”. As people attend for many different reasons, Dr Williams explained that it is imperative to protect their right to seek abortion care and advice at the earliest opportunity.

RCGP Scotland stressed that protest buffer zones are needed outside all sites providing abortions across Scotland, as anti-abortion protests appear to be escalating. The Royal College said it believes existing legislation is insufficient to protect patients, healthcare professionals and clinic staff.

As the consultation launched, Ms Mackay said that she wanted to collect views on the legislation looking to protect people seeking reproductive care from harassment and has gained support from the First Minister.

Having already received support from the Scottish BMA earlier, Ms Mackay welcomed the news that the RCGP Scotland is also in favour of the new legislation:

“I am very grateful for the support of the Royal College of GPs. Abortion rights are human rights, and, as the appalling decision to rollback reproductive rights in the US shows, our progress can be fragile and we need to protect it.

“Nobody should be harassed or abused when accessing healthcare. By establishing buffer zones we can put a stop to the shocking protests that we have seen from anti-choice campaigners.”

Research on the impact of the protests and vigils has been commissioned by the Scottish government and is due to begin next month.

On 27 June, the First Minister hosted an abortion summit to establish short-term solutions to improved access to abortion services in Scotland. She said it was an opportunity to “reaffirm women’s autonomy and right to choose,” but a day later, a parliamentary question asked for confirmation on whether protests and intimidation are in fact being monitored. Women’s health minister, Maree Todd, responded this week, citing the research commissioned and stating:

“The Scottish government also continues to discuss with NHS Board staff whether they have experienced issues or concerns relating to protests or vigils outside abortion clinics. We will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure that evidence is gathered.”

She added that the government is aware of those held outside Glasgow’s Sandyford Clinic, Royal Infirmary and the QUEH, alongside Aberdeen’s Maternity hospital and the Chalmers Clinic in Edinburgh – but no others currently. RCGP Scotland noted that groups of protesters may travel across the country and safe access zones are needed Scotland-wide.

Protests have continued this week outside the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, as recorded by Back Off Scotland – calling again for contributions to the consultation. In its consultation response, RCGP Scotland said harassment of clinics can take many forms:

“A number of these types of activity could feel overtly threatening, but even those which could seem innocuous, such as demonstrating using leaflets and so on, can still cause harm.

“Leaflets can reinforce stigma and cause distress to anyone attending the clinic or even passing by. Furthermore, they can also contain medical misinformation which is ultimately dangerous for women’s health and safety.”

Beyond harm to those directly seeking abortion care, the response also raised concerns about deterring people from accessing other services provided by these healthcare centres – including rape crisis counselling, neo-natal, sexual health, and LGBT support services.

RCGP Scotland said that it respects the right to peaceful protest but the nature and setting of these protests appears to go against the EU Convention on Human Rights as it violates the right to medical privacy.

Read more: Views sought on abortion clinic buffer zones; Ministers publish ambitions for women's health; Abortion clinic buffer zones - where are we now?

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