But without supporting state government legislation, the board's guidelines are unlikely to stop Dr Grundmann's newly opened Croydon Day Hospital from offering late-term abortions. The Croydon clinic is performing abortions only on foetuses from five to 20 weeks because Dr Grundmann's specialised team for later-term abortions is fully committed in Brisbane. Mr Knowles yesterday said the Government did not intend to change abortion laws. The doctor's adherence to the guidelines would then be one factor considered in determining whether there was any misconduct. The report found that after reviewing clinical evidence it was unlikely foetuses felt pain before 26 weeks.
Abortion remains technically unlawful in Victoria except if the mother's life is at risk.
Most of the abortions are done by inducing labor, rather than dilating the cervix and evacuating the foetus, depending on factors such as whether the mother wants to undergo labor or see and hold the baby. The report says there is no ideal method and both procedures are safe when done by experienced and well-trained professionals. Both hospitals refuse to perform abortions past 20 weeks for psychological or social reasons. It found that country women were at increased risk of finding they wanted a late-term abortion because the lack of specialist screening services in rural Victoria often meant that foetal abnormalities were not picked up early in the pregnancy. The board began its inquiry last November and received hundreds of submissions.