Since March, eligible women have been allowed to take both pills required for an early medical abortion (mifepristone and misoprostol) in their own homes after a telephone or video consultation with a doctor or nurse.

The process, which allows women to access abortion without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic for an in person appointment, was put in place to minimise the risk of transmission of Covid-19.

The current arrangements will remain in place “as long as the virus remains a risk”, but a wide range of views, including from women who have had the treatment, are now being sought through a consultation on making the current arrangements permanent.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “All women in Scotland should have access to clinically safe abortion services, within the limits of the law, should they require this.

“The current arrangements were put in place to minimise the risk of transmission of Covid-19 and ensure continued access to abortion services, without delays, during this pandemic.

“This consultation allows will allow us to gather as much evidence as possible to help inform future arrangements.”