Health and wellbeing
Get your oral contraception at a Walsall pharmacy
Published on
Women across Walsall can now get their supply of oral contraception at participating Walsall pharmacies, without the need to see a GP.
Sixty pharmacies in Walsall are participating in this new service, aiming to increase choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.
Oral contraception, known as ‘the pill’, can now be accessed at a pharmacy without a referral or prescription from a GP. Women can also be referred to their pharmacy by their GP practice or a sexual health clinic. The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and will offer the first supply of the pill, or the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception. This is an NHS service, so the supply of oral contraception will be exempt from any prescription charges.
“ We are delighted that Walsall pharmacies will be offering oral contraception without the need for a prescription, helping women to look after their sexual health and wellbeing with ease and convenience. By offering oral contraception directly through our local pharmacies, we are ensuring that women have more choices in how they manage their sexual and reproductive health.
This adds to the different ways in which contraception can be accessed in the borough. A range of options are available, provided through Walsall’s Integrated Sexual Health Service (WiSH), local GPs and pharmacies. You can contact our sexual health service on 01922 270400, who will make sure you get the right support and right contraception for you, including advice about long-acting forms of contraception, which are ideal for women seeking long-term effective contraception without daily pill taking. “
“ This new service is another great milestone in showing how much of an important role community pharmacists are improving wider access to healthcare services. This is a safe and confidential service for women across the Black Country and allows general practice and sexual health services to free up appointments for more complex assessments.
Women will still receive their yearly pill check-up, like they would with their GP, which they will have when requesting their next supply of contraception. It is still encouraged to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor if any unusual side effects continue after three months. “
Individuals do not need to be registered with a GP to access this service. Pharmacies will only inform the GP practice that individuals have accessed the service, with their consent.
Business cards are being rolled out for patients across the Black Country enabling pharmacists to write down the date of the next supply of contraception and the name of the pharmacy.
Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.
To find your nearest pharmacy offering oral contraception visit the NHS website.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- Walsall residents can get free and confidential advice, testing and further support through Walsall Integrated Sexual Health (WiSH). The service is open to everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexuality. To find out more or book an appointment call 01922 270400 or visit the Walsall Sexual Health website.
- LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) such as the coil, hormonal coil or IUS (t-shaped plastic device), implant or injection is ideal for women seeking long-term, effective contraception without daily pill taking. LARC methods are available through the WISH service. Find out more about types of contraception on the WiSH website.
- More than 200 pharmacies across the Black Country will be participating in the oral contraception service. Read the full press release from NHS Black Country ICB.
