BPAS Portsmouth Central provided a compassionate, caring and non-judgemental service in line with BPAS values as an organisation. Sufficient staff were available with the skills and training to provide care. BPAS produced policies that took account of best practice policies and evidence based guidelines. For example, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology (RCOG) guidance and the Required Standard Operating Procedures (RSOP) guidance from the Department of Health. BPAS also carried out its own research before the implementation of simultaneous early medical abortion up to nine weeks. Risk assessments and audits including how the service was adhering to requirements regarding completion and submission of HSA1 and HSA4 forms were undertaken. This information was reported monthly to head office as part of the organisation’s quality assurance processes. Incidents and complaints were reported, investigated and actions taken to reduce the recurrence. The unit manager recorded risks across the three units they managed in one risk register, which included control measures and review dates. The service had received one formal complaint in 2015 which had been investigated and the client responded to.

All staff were trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and safeguarding children (level 3) and obtained advice from the unit safeguarding leads or national safeguarding leads as needed.

Clear suitability for treatment guidelines were followed. In cases where patients had complex medical needs, suitable alternative placements were identified to respond to their needs. All patients were offered a pregnancy options’ discussion with a client care coordinator as part of their consultation. The service signposted patients to the 24 hours seven days a week after care advice line and post abortion specialist counselling if the need arose. Patients were able to access services in a timely manner. Women in Hampshire had to wait an average of 4.8 calendar days for their first consultation. The percentage of consultation appointments available within seven calendar days was 90%. Patients waited on average 4.4 working days from consultation to treatment.