EHC
Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC), sometimes referred to as the “morning after pill”, is available free to young women aged under 25 from any pharmacy in Redbridge displaying the EHC logo.
EHC is effective at preventing pregnancy within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse, but is more effective the sooner it is taken.
More information and pharmacies offering free EHC can be found at: http://www.youngpeoplefriendly.co.uk/emergency-contraception
If unprotected sexual intercourse has happened more that 72 hours (3 days) but less than 5 days ago, young women may still be able to get an IUD fitted to prevent pregnancy.
Local services including Contraception & Sexual health clinics can be found at www.youngpeoplefriendly.co.uk/service-map
The Teenage Pregnancy Team offer free resources to promote the EHC scheme, including an information booklet for young people in Redbridge which was written and designed in consultation with local young people. To view and order resources visit the resources page.
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Pharmacists
Pharmacists wishing to join the EHC scheme in Redbridge can contact Kate Ezeoke-Griffiths, Senior Health Improvement Coordinator, for information on upcoming training opportunities.
For many young women embarrassment, fears surrounding confidentiality and worries about being judged can become barriers in accessing services.
The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy produces and distributes EHC discretion cards for young women to show to staff working in pharmacies to access the scheme.
Please ensure all counter staff recognise the cards and are able to alert the pharmacist in a discreet and sensitive way.
For many young people, Sexual Health services will be the first service they access in their own right. A positive experience will set them up to be confident and responsible service users into adulthood.
Access to the Emergency Hormonal Contraception scheme can also be a fantastic opportunity to promote additional local services, including contraception, especially Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), Condoms and Chlamydia screening to the most vulnerable young women.
