To ask the Minister of Health whether he has any plans to extend safe access zones in areas with continued protesting.

As operators of premises where abortions services are provided, Health and Social Care Trusts are empowered under Assembly legislation to determine the size of Safe Access Zones appropriate to each location, any may extend this up to a maximum of 250 metres from entry and exits points if they consider it appropriate for the purpose of allowing safe access to “protected persons”.

As outlined in my response to AQW 10680/22-27, Safe Access Zones continue to operate effectively across all premises in line with Assembly legislation to protect those accessing abortion services and staff working at those locations. In light of this, I am not aware of any Trust plans to extend Safe Access Zones at this time.