Latest news with #SafeAccessZones
Glasgow Times
26-04-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Government must consider expanding hospital buffer zone, MSP says
The Scottish Government must consider expanding the size of the buffer zone around a hospital where anti-abortion demonstrations are banned, the MSP behind the legislation has said. Gillian Mackay said protesters have been gathering just outside the 200m exclusion zone around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow. The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill came into effect in September and creates areas around medical facilities where terminations are performed, to stop anti-abortion protesters gathering. The legislation was introduced by Ms Mackay, a Green MSP, and is designed to protect women from harassment. It contains a provision to extend the size of the buffer zones if it is deemed proportionate. Ms Mackay said: 'Safe access zones were introduced to protect patients and staff at our hospitals, and, for the most part, that is what they are doing. 'But at QEUH we have seen protests continuing on one of the main entry routes to the hospital. 'The QEUH in Glasgow has quite unique challenges due to its location compared to other hospitals. 'From the correspondence that I and others have received, there are concerns about the patients and staff having no choice but to pass the protests.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act allows ministers to extend the size of a zone if it is considered necessary to protect those accessing or providing services from impacts prohibited under the Act. 'However, before taking such a step, it is essential that ministers are satisfied such an extension is appropriate. 'We take Ms Mackay's comments extremely seriously and will discuss the matter further with the relevant Health Board as an immediate next step.'
Daily Record
26-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scottish Government told to consider expanding abortion buffer zones around hospitals
The Scottish Government must consider expanding the size of the buffer zone around a hospital where anti-abortion demonstrations are banned, the MSP behind the legislation has said. Gillian Mackay said protesters have been gathering just outside the 200m exclusion zone around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow. The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill came into effect in September and creates areas around medical facilities where terminations are performed, to stop anti-abortion protesters gathering. The legislation was introduced by Ms Mackay, a Green MSP, and is designed to protect women from harassment. It contains a provision to extend the size of the buffer zones if it is deemed proportionate. Ms Mackay said: "Safe access zones were introduced to protect patients and staff at our hospitals, and, for the most part, that is what they are doing. "But at QEUH we have seen protests continuing on one of the main entry routes to the hospital. "The QEUH in Glasgow has quite unique challenges due to its location compared to other hospitals. "From the correspondence that I and others have received, there are concerns about the patients and staff having no choice but to pass the protests." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act allows ministers to extend the size of a zone if it is considered necessary to protect those accessing or providing services from impacts prohibited under the Act. "However, before taking such a step, it is essential that ministers are satisfied such an extension is appropriate. "We take Ms Mackay's comments extremely seriously and will discuss the matter further with the relevant Health Board as an immediate next step."
Sky News
19-02-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Woman, 74, first to be charged in Scotland under abortion buffer zone law
A pensioner has become the first person in Scotland to be charged for allegedly breaching the nation's new abortion buffer zones law. Police Scotland was told about a group of protesters outside Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at around 2.05pm on Wednesday. Officers attended and a 74-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with an alleged breach of the exclusion zone in Hardgate Road. A force spokesperson said: "She will be reported to the procurator fiscal." This is the first arrest and charge in Scotland under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024. The legislation was created to prevent anti-abortion protesters from gathering within 200 metres of the 30 hospitals and medical facilities across the nation where terminations are carried out. It came into force last September. Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the bill, condemned the demonstrators. She said: "The protests that have taken place outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital have been utterly shameful and I am grateful to Police Scotland for acting so quickly. "This kind of intimidation has no place in a modern or progressive Scotland. "Everybody deserves to have access to healthcare without harassment. That is why I introduced my act, and why these disgraceful protests are now illegal. "We know the awful impact that these protests have had. Some of the testimonies from women who have had to endure them have been heartbreaking." The protest comes just days after US vice president JD Vance was criticised for spreading misinformation about the legislation. Donald Trump's deputy alleged that residents within the safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government "warning them that even private prayer within their own homes may amount to breaking the law". He claimed the government "urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thought crime". Mr Vance added: "In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat." In response, Health Secretary Neil Gray branded the claim "ludicrous". The Scottish government also said it was "incorrect", adding: "Private prayer at home is not prohibited within safe access zones and no letter has ever suggested it was." Ms Mackay urged all those considering future demonstrations to "think again, as they will be stopped and there will be consequences". She added: "It's no coincidence that this has happened so soon after JD Vance and his supporters have spread toxic misinformation about Scotland. "It is vital that we stand up for reproductive rights and against those who are working to undermine them."
