Abortion services will be temporarily unavailable in the Western Trust from 5pm today (Friday).

The Western Trust released a statement to The Impartial Reporter on Friday afternoon after a charity – Informing Choices NI (ICNI) – claimed that the Early Medical Abortion (EMA) service was to be suspended in the Western Trust on Friday morning, with service stopping that evening.

In a statement, a Western Trust spokesperson said: "The Trust has had to temporarily pause the delivery of the EMA service.

"Referrals for this service can no longer be accepted from 5pm on Friday April 23, until further notice.

"The Trust requires additional nursing and medical support in order to deliver this service, and are actively exploring all options in respect of this.

"The Trust apologises for any concern this may cause, and can assure the public that we are continuing to work towards minimising any disruption this will cause in the interim period."