Abortion clinic in Brighton to close after 40 years

BPAS Wistons Clinic in Dyke Road, operated by The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), has confirmed it will close at the end of June.

It comes after BPAS was unsuccessful in its bid to retain the contract for providing Termination of Pregnancy Services in the area.

BPAS also runs satellite services in Bognor Regis and Eastbourne.

The building in Dyke Road is currently up for sale, with a starting price of £3m.

A spokesman for BPAS said: “BPAS are sorry to confirm that our premises in Brighton will be closing this summer.

“The Termination of Pregnancy Service was placed out to tender in 2020 by Brighton & Hove CCG, and BPAS was unsuccessful in its bid to retain this contract.

“Wiston’s clinic was one of BPAS’ first, opened more than 40 years ago, when all of our clients needed bed-rest following an abortion.

“With the many changes in the way abortion is now delivered and the introduction of telemedical care for Early Medical Abortion during the pandemic, the number of surgical treatments has reduced significantly, along with the type and length of anaesthetic.

“Because of these changes, it had always been our intention to relocate the surgical service to more suitable premises in Brighton, but having been unsuccessful in our bid, the clinic has been put on the market for sale.

“BPAS will continue to offer services from its Dyke Road location until the end of June.”

From July 1, abortion services in Brighton will be delivered by MSI Choices.

MSI Choices has been approached for a comment.