The government has changed the rules surrounding abortion so that medical abortion can all be carried out at home and without the need to travel to a clinic.
Medical abortion involves taking two sets of pills - mifepristone and misoprostol - to end a pregnancy in the early stages, but previously women have been required to visit a clinic in person to access the procedure.
New home use rules will protect women by cutting down on unnecessary travel during the coronavirus pandemic but it will also protect the doctors and midwives who can also carry out the work from home.
Charities had been worried that women who want an abortion but have underlying health conditions would put themselves at risk to have the procedure or turn to dangerous alternatives.
Can everyone use the new system?
For women who already have an appointment booked in the next week or so they are being advised to still attend as normal because the new system may take some time to set up.
For the majority of women who are ending a pregnancy of under 10 weeks gestation, they will be able to have pills prescribed to them during a virtual face-to-face.
But if it is over 10 weeks gestation or they are unsure if they are over the gestational limit then they will have to go to a clinic.
Some women's health conditions may also mean they should attend in person.
Who will this benefit?
As well as benefiting all patients by reducing their exposure to Covid-19, there are some for whom this could be essential.
It is especially important for women who have particular issues like underlying health conditions or caring for children with underlying health conditions which means they are more at risk from coronavirus.
It could also help women in abusive situations who find it hard to leave the house under normal circumstances but for whom that has become almost impossible under lockdown.
Domestic abuse charities are already reporting an increase in abuse under the current travel restrictions.
Young women have also contacted the UK's main abortion provider BPAS concerned that they can't leave the house without telling parents where they are going.
Rather than resorting to illegally buying abortion pills online, the change in the rules allows women to have safe abortions with the support of medical professionals.
BPAS say it means that members of their clinical workforce who are having to self-isolate but do not feel unwell can continue to work.
What should you do if you need an abortion?
Contact either Marie Stopes or BPAS who are the two main abortion providers for the NHS and can advise you of your local service.
They will then make an appointment for you and you will either be seen in person or over teleconferencing depending on your individual circumstances.
If they prescribe a home abortion the pills will be sent to your address.
What normally happens?
Women ending a pregnancy in its first 10 weeks in the UK must taking two sets of pills 24 to 48 hours apart. Bleeding will begin shortly after taking the second set of pills.
In 2018 the rules were changed so that a woman did not have take the second pill in a clinic to avoid women miscarrying on the journey home from the clinic.
Why did the government change the position?
Campaigners and doctors have been pushing for home use of abortion pills for some time in response to an increase in the number of people in the UK illegally buying them online as a result of difficulty accessing clinic-based services, but the government has repeatedly refused to alter the rules.
Last week there was an announcement that the rules would be relaxed while the country grappled with coronavirus.
It stayed on the official website for four hours before being deleted with an explanation saying: “There will be no changes to abortion regulations”.
But the Department for Health has now reverted to the original policy to help women who need an abortion, but cannot access a clinic due to the national lockdown.
They finally announced that the change would take place on Monday 30 March.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Public safety and continued access to key services is our priority during this difficult period.
“From today, women who need an abortion up to ten weeks and can’t access a clinic can use abortion pills at home.
“This measure will be on a temporary basis and must follow a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician.”
Will this change last beyond coronavirus?
At the moment no.
The government's guidance insist the change is being made on a temporary basis only and is time limited for two years, or until the crisis is over. It stresses that it is not permanent.
But many campaigners have been calling for women to be able to take both pills at home to reduce the difficulties of having to travel to and from a clinic and the costs involved.
It seems quite possible that if it works better for patients and clinicians that it will be kept in place.
