Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: island communities impact assessment screening

Step four - Assessment

Does your assessment identify any unique impacts on island communities? (Demographic, Economic, Gaelic, Social)

The Bill does not contain any provisions that will have a unique impact on Island communities.

Does your assessment identify any potential barriers or wider impacts? Are there mitigations already in place for these impacts raised?

The Bill will provide protection for those accessing, providing and facilitating abortion services across Scotland, including Island communities, from harmful anti-abortion activity which takes place in a safe access zone (or is visible or audible from a zone).

All NHS territorial Health Boards in Scotland provide abortion services, with some Island Health Boards only providing abortions to certain gestations. Although no anti-abortion activity has been recorded on the Islands, the Bill is intended to ensure anti-abortion activity will not happen in the future. Additionally, it is possible that those who require to travel to mainland services, because abortion services are not provided at their gestation, for example, could encounter anti-abortion activity that currently takes place across Scotland. By preventing anti-abortion activity outside of premises that provide abortion services across Scotland, the Bill could have a positive impact on those residing in island communities who may otherwise have to encounter distressing behaviour.

A full Islands Community Impact Assessment is NOT required

In preparing the ICIA, I have formed an opinion that our policy, strategy or service is NOT likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities).

In considering the impact of the Bill on the Islands of Scotland we have concluded that, as all premises across Scotland that provide abortion services will have safe access zones established around them, it is not likely there will be any significant, unique, or greater impacts of the proposed legislation for Island communities.

ICIA approved by

Position: Head of Health Protection Unit

Signature: Laura McGlynn

Date completed: 3/10/2023

ICIA approved by:

Position: Deputy Director: Public Health Capabilities

Signature: Elizabeth Sadler

Date approved: 3/10/2023