Services Database Emergency Contraception

The Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) service forms one part of Sheffield City Council services aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy by offering free emergency contraception to 14-17-year-olds. This is currently under review as part of the Sexual Health Redesign 2018/19. Pharmacies will be informed on a formal basis by letter/email should the age limit be extended. The EHC service is delivered in community pharmacies as one part of Sheffield’s Reducing Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.

The pharmacy will offer free emergency contraception within 72 hours of earliest risk to any female aged 16 and 17 years and any female aged 14–15 years (inclusive) who are deemed to be Fraser competent under a Patient Group Directive (PGD) and/or Ellaone Guidance.

The pharmacy will discuss ongoing contraception, in particular, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.
The pharmacy will discuss STIs and carry out a Chlamydia test unless the client declines.
The pharmacy will offer a pregnancy test as appropriate.

The pharmacist and support staff must have completed the training required by Sheffield City Council to be accredited to provide the service (see Sexual Health pages on Pharmoutcomes) Details of accreditation can be located on Pharmoutcomes and at http://cpe.org.uk/sheffield-lpc/locally-commissioned-services/

The accredited pharmacist will be required to undertake annual updates, as decided by Sheffield City Council.
Pharmacists and staff must be fully aware of their responsibility to maintain patient confidentiality at all times in accordance with Caldecott guidelines and Data Protection Act until May 25th 2018 and introduction of the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679.
Pharmacists and staff must be fully aware of their responsibility to safeguard children and refer appropriately as per local child protection procedures.