Marking World Oral Contraception Day: Pharmacy Oral Contraception service offers easier access to Contraception in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

As we celebrate World Oral Contraception Day on 26 September, residents in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can now skip the GP visit and get a prescription for oral contraception directly from their local pharmacist. Thanks to this new service, there’s no need to book a doctor’s appointment – making healthcare faster and more accessible for everyone.

What is the oral contraception service?

The oral contraception service allows people to get their oral contraception (sometimes known as the pill), straight from their local pharmacy. You can also now use the service even if you’ve never had oral contraception before. By bypassing the need for a GP appointment or a visit to a sexual health clinic, the service aims to make access easier to essential treatments, helping to free up GP appointments for people with more urgent or complex needs.

How to use the service

Getting a prescription for contraception through the service is straightforward and discreet. Pharmacists are fully qualified medical professionals who can provide private consultations, even if you walk in and ask to speak to them there and then. At many pharmacies you can also call or book online in advance as well. Pharmacists can also advise, offer treatment, and supply other medication if needed. Please note that not all pharmacies provide this service yet so always check online via this link or call beforehand.

Why use the oral contraception service?

The service provides a faster, more convenient way to get the oral contraception that you need without needing to see a GP or travel to a sexual health clinic.

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Chief Medical Officer of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, said:

“This fantastic initiative makes accessing contraception so much easier for our residents in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

“By allowing people to get a prescription for contraception directly from their local pharmacy, we’re ensuring healthcare is quicker and more convenient for everyone. Pharmacists will take you through the same process as a GP would and will be able to update your patient record, ensuring continuity of care.

“I want to thank our hardworking NHS teams and healthcare staff for their continued dedication. This service is a significant step forward in making sure people have access to the care they need, when they need it.”

Benefits for residents

• – Skip the GP: Get a prescription for oral contraception directly from your pharmacist without needing a GP appointment or to travel to a clinic
• – Private consultations: Talk to a trained pharmacist in a private room for safe and confidential care in most pharmacies.
• – Helping GPs: By using the oral contraception service, residents help free up GP appointments for those who need them most.

Where to find the service

Many pharmacies in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are part of the oral contraception service, meaning you’re likely just a short walk away from the service. Contraception is free for everyone, other usual prescription charges will apply, but those who are exempt from charges will still get their medication for free.

For more information, watch our video with pharmacist Pritpal Grewal talking about the oral contraception service here. Alternatively, you can find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription – NHS (www.nhs.uk), visit your local pharmacy or contact NHS 111 for details on services in your area.