Dickson said conscientious objection was also delaying and obstructing access to abortion care in NHS settings in Wales.
The Abortion Act 1967 allows those with a conscientious objection to refuse to be part of treatment unless that care is immediately necessary to save life or prevent grave permanent injury to a pregnant woman.
These can be religious, moral or personal objections to termination of pregnancy.
Dickson described one case where a woman who had an abnormality in her pregnancy had her care delayed by six weeks, and another where a woman couldn’t afford to travel.
“The only appointment availability was in England,” she said.
“She was young. She didn’t have any support, and she actually made the decision that she would not be financially able to travel. So, she actually kept the pregnancy.”
Dickson said conscientious objection was widespread in Wales – and it needed to be addressed.
“Many people won’t support routine care provision,” she said.
“So this means that often obstructions are put in place, like having the availability of an operating theatre in which you can perform the procedures, or availability of support staff.”
The abortion doctor said it was difficult to isolate funding for abortion care because it is not ring-fenced.
“We can’t be a country that doesn’t offer a basic requirement of care that has been legal for 60 years,” she added.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) said abortion care was essential healthcare and must be accessible to every woman in Wales, wherever she lives.
“We are calling on the Welsh government to invest in the workforce needed to deliver these services, ensuring there are enough trained skilled staff in Wales,” said RCOG vice president for education Melanie Tipples.
She added that while healthcare professionals have a legal right to object to participating in abortion procedures, this should “never be the reason a patient can’t access safe, timely and legal care”.
The Welsh government said women should be able to access “essential healthcare services closer to home”.
“The deputy minister for women’s health has made improving abortion services one of this year’s priorities as part of a strengthened women’s health plan”, a spokesperson added.
