The introduction of an abortion service at Southland Hospital has been welcomed by the Abortion Law Reform Association.
Association president Morgan Healey says Southland women have had to travel to Dunedin or Christchurch for abortions, and that brings added stress.
Dr Healey says Southland women tend to have abortions later than women who have access to services in their own region.
She says the later an abortion is performed, the more risks there are for the woman.
Dr Healey says the West Coast, Tasman, Manawatu and Whanganui still do not have their own abortion services.
The Southland service starts on 1 July.
