Services Database Community Pharmacy Sexual Health Enhanced Service

Service ID

17918

Description

Clients can access the following services as part of the sexual health service:

  • Emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) - the EHC service is available to all pre-menopausal women of any age who need EHC following an episode of unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI). Clients will either self-refer
    or may be referred by other healthcare professionals, including pharmacists not providing the service.
  • Free-Dom condom distribution - the target group is young men and women of 25 years of age and under in Hackney. Pharmacies will act as registration points where young people can receive information about contraception and STIs and be issued with the Free-Dom Card and condoms. Young people producing a card obtained at another EAP will also be able to access condoms.
  • Chlamydia screening/treatment - the chlamydia screening service should be offered to all sexually active young people from 15 to 24 years of age whenever they access any service from the pharmacy, including the EHC service, Pharmacy First, purchasing products, etc. Kits may be offered for the woman to test themselves and for their partners.
  • Chlamydia treatment is available for all sexually active young people from 15 to 24 years of age who have been notified by the Chlamydia Screening Office that they have tested positive for chlamydia and have been referred to the pharmacy for treatment.
  • Clients under 16 years of age - while the service is not aimed primarily at clients under 16 years of age, the pharmacist may make a judgement to provide EHC/azithromycin/condoms to a young person they believe to be under 16 years if: 
    • the consequences of not supplying are likely to outweigh the risks of using EHC/azithromycin; and/or
    • the client is unable or unlikely to access a GP or Family Planning service if supply is refused at the pharmacy.

Location of service

City & Hackney LPC

Commissioner

Local Authority (LA)

Method of commissioning

Local Authority contract

Source of funding

Local Authority (LA)

Service type

Sexual health

Other organisations involved

Dates

Start date:
End date:

Status

Ongoing

Training

The pharmacist(s) must have successfully completed any specified training courses run by the local authority, including initial training, child protection, refresher training, etc.

The pharmacist will then be accredited as an approved practitioner for providing this service. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to train pharmacy staff on the operation of the scheme and referral of requests for EHC/Chlamydia treatment. The pharmacist should maintain clinical knowledge appropriate to their practice by attending relevant study days, courses and to make themselves aware of appropriate literature (consideration should be given to completing relevant CPPE packs).

Pharmacy staff should attend one of the chlamydia screening training courses run by the local authority.

Staff involved in the Free-Dom condom distribution service should attend one of the training courses run by Brook London on behalf of the local authority.

Comments