Community Pharmacists can provide extended access through the NHS to advice and Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) as part of the Public Health Service (PHS) element of the community pharmacy contract. The aim of the service is to provide, where clinically indicated, a free supply of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC). The service is available to any female client aged 13 years or over.
More information can be found here: CPS Public Health Service EHC
- Emergency Hormonal Contraception – Service Specification
- EHC Flowchart
- Emergency Contraception Proforma
- PGD for the supply of Levonorgestrel
- Ulipristal acetate may be provided to patients who present requesting emergency contraception for their own use within 120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI) or contraceptive failure. There is no requirement for a PGD for Ulipristal acetate as it has been reclassified as a P medicine.
Further information on EHC is available here: Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Clinical Guidelines
Child Protection
Patients aged 13 and older can access these service arrangements for EHC by CPs. However, all CPs must be aware of child protection issues and the capacity to consent. Concerns must be raised through the appropriate channels as local policy.
Sexual Assault
Guidance for healthcare professionals on SARCS was published on 1st April 2022. It summarised how to support someone who discloses rape or sexual assault and the options available to them. This guidance is available online, along with leaflets for members of the public at – Supporting documents – Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS): information – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Training
All CPs providing these services are required to have completed two NES e-learning modules, accessed via NES Turas Learn:
- Contraception
- Child Protection
Contractor payment for this service is via the Universal Claim Framework (UCF).