Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018

Risk to life or health in emergency

10. (1) Notwithstanding the generality of section 9 , or any determination made or pending pursuant to section 16 of an application under section 13 (2), a termination of pregnancy may be carried out in accordance with this section by a medical practitioner where, having examined the pregnant woman, he or she is of the reasonable opinion formed in good faith that—

(a) there is an immediate risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman, and

(b) it is immediately necessary to carry out the termination of pregnancy in order to avert that risk.

(2) Where a medical practitioner proposes to carry out a termination of pregnancy under this section, he or she shall certify his or her opinion as to the matters referred to in subsection (1)

(a) before carrying out the termination of pregnancy concerned, or

(b) where it is not practicable to do so before carrying out the termination of pregnancy, as soon as may be but, in any event, not later than 3 days after the carrying out of the termination of pregnancy concerned.