Overview

About the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme

A crisis pregnancy is a pregnancy which is neither planned nor desired by the woman concerned, and which represents a personal crisis for her. A planned or desired pregnancy can develop into a crisis pregnancy over time due to a change in circumstances.
The Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme has three mandates:

• A reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraceptive services.
• A reduction in the number of women with crisis pregnancies who opt for abortion by offering services and supports which make other options more attractive.
• The provision of counselling services, medical services and such other health services for the purpose of providing support after crisis pregnancy, as may be deemed appropriate by the Programme.

The Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme does not provide counselling or medical services directly to the public. It funds other organisations to provide counselling and other medical services that are in line with its objectives.

In 2010 the former functions of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency were transferred to the HSE under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. The responsibility for formulating and implementing a national strategy to prevent crisis pregnancy is now with the Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
If you need counselling or other crisis pregnancy support click here
For more information about the work of the Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme, see our latest Annual Report and Strategy 2012-2016