Contraception services are provided free for all women and men of all ages through the NHS, at our surgery.

If you would like help finding the right contraception for you then you should make an appointment to discuss the issue with one of the doctors. Information on the different types of contraception is available on the Family Planning Association website.

If you are prescribed the contraceptive pill, you must have a ‘pill check’ every 6 months with one of the nurses to continue to receive your medication. At this appointment we will check your height and weight and your blood pressure.

Emergency Contraception

If you have had sex without using contraception or think your method might have failed there are two emergency methods you can use:

• Emergency hormone pills – or ‘morning after’ pills – must be taken within three days (72 hours) after sex. They are more effective the earlier they are taken after sex.
• An IUD (coil) must be fitted up to five days after sex, or up to five days after the earliest time you could have released an egg (ovulation).

How To Get Emergency Contraception

There are several ways you can get emergency contraception:

• From your GP or Nurse. Please ring and make an urgent, same day appointment with the nurse or doctor or ask to speak to a nurse or doctor over the telephone. Emergency contraception is free from your doctor/nurse.
• At school – you can see your school nurse who will be able to help you.
• At the chemist. The pharmacist will advise you how and when to take the emergency hormone pill. There is a charge of around £20.
• At the family planning clinics. These offer a drop-in, or appointment system clinic where you can get emergency contraception free of charge. Family Planning Service 01255 868686 (24 hour answerphone giving details of all family planning clinics).