The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme (formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Agency) is tasked with developing and implementing a national strategy to address the issue of crisis pregnancy in Ireland. It is a national programme working within the Children and Family Social Services Care Group in the HSE. The current strategy 'Leading an Integrated Approach to Reducing Crisis Pregnancy' will continue to be implemented. The strategy provides a blue-print to guide policy makers and service providers towards the delivery of co-ordinated programmes to prevent crisis pregnancy and to provide a comprehensive and caring response to the needs of women who experience a crisis pregnancy. The strategic direction for the Crisis Pregnancy Programme during the period 2007–2011 is outlined within the document.

The details of the strategy were developed in light of consultation and research. Issues relating to crisis pregnancy are multidimensional in nature and require a response from a range of sectors and on a number of levels. The Crisis Pregnancy Programme will work in partnership with a broad range of organisations to set targets and establish mechanisms to monitor and review progress to address the issue of crisis pregnancy.

Seven Strategic Priorities

I.) Knowledge about Relationships and Sexuality for Adolescents
Achieve measureable improvements in knowledge about relationships and sexuality among adolescents through home-, school- and community-based education.

II.) Contraception
Improve access to and information on contraception and contraceptive services – particularly for groups at risk of crisis pregnancy.

III.) Communications
Conduct effective and innovative communications campaigns to promote positive behavioural and cultural changes regarding sexual attitudes, choices and behaviour.

IV.) Crisis Pregnancy Services
Improve access to and delivery of crisis pregnancy counselling services and post-abortion medical and counselling services.

V.) Continuation of Pregnancy
Improve the range and nature of supports central to making continuation of pregnancy more attractive. Ensure that women, their partners and families are fully informed about these supports.

VI.) Research
Strengthen understanding of the contributory factors and solutions to crisis pregnancy; use research findings to promote evidence-based practice and policy development.

VII.) Policy Influence
Influence policy makers and key players regarding prevention of crisis pregnancy, reproductive decision-making and crisis pregnancy outcomes.

To view the Crisis Pregnancy Programme’s strategy for 2007–2011, please click on the links below:

Download a pdf of the strategy
Download a pdf of the summary of the document
Download a pdf of the strategy (as Gaeilge)
Download a pdf of the summary of the document (as Gaeilge)

For further information, please contact the Crisis Pregnancy Programme on 01 814 62 92 or email info@crisispregnancy.ie