Women in England will be allowed to take an abortion pill at home under new plans unveiled by the government.
Women are currently required to take two pills at a clinic 24-48 hours apart however under the new rule, women will be able to take the second pill at home.
The new system will come into effect later this year and bring England in line with Wales and Scotland who already offer women the chance to take the second pill in their own home.
Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service which has long campaigned for the move, said the decision "represents an outbreak of common sense" and will improve the experience of the more than 100,000 women in England who have early abortions each year.
The pills are taken to end an early pregnancy before 10 weeks' gestation.
Women leave the clinic after taking the second pill and pass the pregnancy at home, with the two visits sometimes challenging to organise and often uncomfortable or traumatic and some women even beginning to miscarry before they reach home.
Ms Fuerdi added: “"Enabling women to use this medication at home rather than being forced to take it in a clinic means women will no longer risk pain and bleeding as they travel home after taking it, and means they can use it at the time that is right for them, when they are safe and comfortable in the privacy of their own homes."
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They will then have the option of being discharged home to self-administer the second medication, misoprostol, but they will still be able to attend a clinic if they prefer.
Professor Lesley Regan, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said that the announcement is “hugely welcomed” and a “major step forward for women’s healthcare.”
"This simple and practical measure will provide women with significantly more choice and is the most compassionate care we can give them.
"It will allow women to avoid distress and embarrassment of bleeding and pain during their journey home from an unnecessary second visit to a clinic or hospital.
"It will also improve access to safe and regulated abortion care and take pressure off NHS services."
