Public Health Service - Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC)
Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC)
West of Scotland MCN Emergency Contraception Guideline v6.2 (August 2019)
Emergency Contraception CEG (September 2021)
Levonorgestrel v12 (exp Oct 2025)
Levonorgestrel v12 (exp Oct 2025) Single Signing Sheet
Access Sexual Health Service Support
In October 2015, Scottish Government announced an extension to the EHC provision from community pharmacies. In order to remain in line with the current local policy for Emergency Contraception (EC) provision, Community Pharmacists (CPs) should note the following advice:
- Provide advice regarding insertion of a Copper Intra-uterine Device (cu-IUD). This needs to be inserted by a qualified practitioner and the patient will therefore, require to be referred to Sandyford Services or their GP. This can be fitted within 5 days following first episode of unprotected sex within cycle or within 5 days of expected ovulation. If unsure if suitable, please contact the Sandyford Professional Helpline by email at ggc.sandyfordprofessionalsupport@nhs.scot
- In the meantime, offer access to hormonal emergency contraception.
If client declines Cu-IUD, it is unsuitable or they wish to access EC while awaiting Cu-IUD prescribe Ulipristal–EC (UPA-EC), unless contraindicated or quick starting contraception. - When UPA-EC contraindicated or quick starting, prescribe Levonorgestrel (see PGD for dosing advice). CP must have signed the most up to date PGD before a supply can be made. Current formulary choice is Upostelle®.
- Ulipristal – this is a P medicine and does not require a PGD. GGC formulary has been updated to reflect CP provision within PHS.
Documentation has been provided to help with the clinical decision making for your information and is attached above.
The West of Scotland (WoS) Managed Care Network (MCN) protocol provides some additional information with regards to provision of EC in females who weight over 70kg or have a BMI >26 and also information about what method of EC to recommend and when. It also has an excellent summary of when to provide emergency contraception if the patient is presenting as a result of missed pill(s).
However, it may be easier to review the flow chart for EC provision in isolation of the information specific to Nurses and/or other prescribers. Please see above for a simpler version for CPs use.
Scottish Government specifications require CPs to record details of the consultation and a suggested proforma is available above for CPs to use.
FSRH Clinical Guideline: Emergency Contraception.
Child Protection Policies
Sexually Active Young People: A guide for staff working with this client group (December 2019)
Youth Priority Services: youngpeople@sandyford (December 2019)
Child Protection Guidance (March 2019)
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.
A copy of the Sandyford policy for “Sexually Active Young People: A Guide for Staff Working with this Client Group” is available to download above.
Sexual Assault
On the occasion where the patient may access the pharmacy service seeking EC as a result of a sexual assault, Pharmacists should provide information to support her by signposting to Rape Crisis Scotland. In Glasgow, there is a bespoke service - "Archway" - who will provide support and medical treatment even if the assault is not reported to Police Scotland. Further information can be found here.
Clients from anywhere in the West of Scotland can self refer to Archway Glasgow Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0141 211 8175 based at the Sandyford, within 7 days of an assault for forensic, medical and emotional care.
Training Requirements
All CPs providing these services are required to have completed two NES e-learning modules, accessed via NES Turas Learn:
- Contraception
- Child Protection
Responsible Person: Pamela MacIntyre/Nathan Burley
Last Updated: 19/12/23