The investigators from the Care Quality Commission discovered that staff were routinely forging certificates, largely involving doctors pre–signing consent forms without seeing patients.

In total, 14 NHS hospitals have been formally censured by regulators over potentially illegal abortions.

The 249 inspections were carried out as part of an inquiry ordered by Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, after an investigation by The Daily Telegraph found evidence that the law was being broken.

Under the 1967 Abortion Act, doctors are allowed to carry out a termination if they believe the physical or mental health of a pregnant woman is in jeopardy.

Before carrying out the termination, two doctors must sign a form certifying that they are both “of the opinion, formed in good faith” that to continue the pregnancy would be inappropriate.

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