Termination of Pregnancy
GP's can access when appointment slots are vacant on ERS (dates/times) therefore will see that there is not a long waiting list for patients requesting this procedure, to attend an initial consultation prior to planned treatment, which would take place within a few days of the initial consultation.
Barnsley has a dedicated service email (Pregnancy.advisoryservice@nhs.net) which GP's, Spectrum and non-NHS organisations BPAS and MSI can use to refer patients, requesting Termination of Pregnancy.
BHNFT offer Termination of Pregnancy from 4-16 weeks gestation:
- Medical TOP up to 16 weeks
- Early Medical TOP at home up to 9 weeks 6 days gestation
All BHNFT patients attend an initial consultation within 1-5 days of referral into the unit to assess gestation, age and also to check viability (e.g. to rule out ectopic pregnancy, missed miscarriage, not pregnant at all, molar pregnancy)
Patients are then offered treatment, dependant on meeting necessary criteria, for TOP, again within 1-5 days. This is within limits and guidelines set out by RCOG.
Patients have contraception initiated post procedure or referred to Spectrum if they would like IUS/IUCD/Contraceptive patch post procedure.
MSI offer Termination of Pregnancy as a non-NHS organisation and have a regional unit close to Sheffield/Rotherham.
However, MSI only offer patients the choice of Early Medical Termination of Pregnancy at home up to 9 weeks 6 days gestation or Surgical Termination of Pregnancy up to 23 weeks 6 days gestation.
They do not offer patients the choice of having their procedure as an inpatient setting .
They do not scan all patients prior to sending out medications in the post to the patients address if the patient states they are sure of their LMP and are less than 9 weeks 6 days gestation from this.
They do not offer treatment to patients with existing co-morbidities or have raised BMI ; these patients are referred onto us at Barnsley for treatment in an NHS setting.
Patients treated by MSI are provided with a patient information leaflet regarding their treatment, what to expect throughout and post their treatment and a 24 hour aftercare telephone contact.
Updated: December 2025
Do you want to add this to your CPD record?
Did you find this page helpful?