EHC & Sexual Health

An EHC service is commissioned in all areas across West Yorkshire.  Although the titles and service specification for these services vary per area, in essence pharmacies are being commissioned to provide an EHC service as part of a sexual health service which may also include condom distribution, pregnancy testing and a chlamydia screening and other treatment services.  Pharmacists providing the service must always refer to the service specification for the service that they are commissioned to provide.

The service specifications for each area are listed below (see links).  Also listed for each area are links to the relevant safeguarding teams.  If you have concern that a child is being harmed as a result of abuse or neglect, you must NOT keep these concerns to yourself.  KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY.

 

Jump to Bradford service details

Jump to Calderdale service details

Jump to Craven service details

Jump to Kirklees service details

Jump to Leeds service details

Jump to Wakefield service details

 

Pharmacists providing an EHC service are responsible and accountable for ensuring that they:

  • Maintain competency to provide the service so they are able to practice safely and effectively.
  • Keep up to date with relevant guidance and procedures.
  • Work under the terms of the relevant PGD for the area in which they are working.

These responsibilities have always been in place through professional registration, PGD legislation and service agreements.

 

Useful Information & Updates

 

New Emergency Contraception Guidelines (March 2017, amended December 2020)

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare launched new guidance, (see here), on emergency contraception.  If you are involved in advising or caring for women who may need emergency contraception, please make sure you read this updated guidance to ensure any advice you give is the most up to date.

 

Remember to Advise Women that Oral Emergency Contraception (EC) Methods Do Not Provide Ongoing Contraception

Local Sexual Health services have reported an increased number of patients recently who have had a positive pregnancy test after taking ulipristal and patients have said that they were unaware that they needed to use additional barrier contraception.

Providers of oral EC should advise women that oral EC should always advise women that this does not provide contraceptive cover for subsequent UPSI and that they will need to use contraception or abstain from sex to avoid further risk of pregnancy.

Additionally, for women taking hormonal contraception, the effectiveness of ulipristal can be reduced if a woman takes progestogen in the 5 days after taking ulipristal.  Women should therefore be advised to wait 5 days after ulipristal before starting their hormonal contraception and should be advised to use condoms or abstain from sex until their contraceptive method is effective.  Refer to pages 29-31 of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare guidance here.

The following general information/resources may be helpful for pharmacists providing an EHC service:

 

Bradford Sexual Health (EHC) Service

Locala – Bradford EHC Pharmacy Subcontract April 2023

FSRH Emergency Contraception Decision Making Tree

Bradford Consultation Form 2023

Levonorgestrel PGD v2 valid from March 2023 (Bradford & Kirklees)

 

Claims for the service are processed via PharmOutcomes. Queries about payments for the Bradford EHC Service should be directed to info@cpwy.org.

Service Commissioner: Locala Community Partnerships CIC

Service Lead: Jo Marshall – jo.marshall@locala.org.uk

 

Signposting Information (Bradford)

The BASH Bradford website provides a one stop shop for contraceptive information, advice and services in the Bradford district.  Patients can be directed to the website or can call Locala Sexual Health on 030 3330 9500.

Note: phone lines in Bradford are open Monday to Thursday 08:00-17:00, Friday 08:00-16:15 and Saturday 09:30-11:30 (excluding bank holidays). 

Locala offers a free and confidential service providing contraception and STI (sexually transmitted infection) care in clinics across Bradford. See https://www.locala.org.uk/services/sexual-health for details.  Patients can also book appointments online via a link on the Locala website.

 

Safeguarding Links & Information

See the Childrens’ Safeguarding Board website.

See the Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Board website.

See additional WY Safeguarding information in our Clinical Governance section here.

 

Calderdale Sexual Health (EHC) Service

Service Extension & Contract Variation Letter 2021

Service Extension & Contract Variation Letter 2020

Service Extension & Contract Variation Letter 2019

Service Extension Letter 2018

Service Sub Contract Agreement

Emergency Contraception Decision Tree

Calderdale Levonorgestrel PGD v2 valid from March 2023

Calderdale Ulipristal PGD v2 valid from March 2023

Sexual Health Consultation Form 2019

Condom Supply as Part of an EHC Service

EHC Poster

 

Claims for the service are processed via PharmOutcomes. Queries about payments for the Calderdale EHC service should be directed to info@cpwy.org.

Service Commissioner: Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Service Lead: Gill Harries – gill.harries@cht.nhs.uk

 

Signposting Information (Calderdale)

Integrated Sexual Health Service – telephone: 01422 261370

The Calderdale Sexual Health services website provides a one stop shop for contraceptive information, advice and services in the Calderdale area.  See https://sexualhealth.cht.nhs.uk/services/.

Services are located across Calderdale with the main hub (Broad Street) located centrally in Halifax. Address: 51 Northgate Plaza, Broad Street, Halifax HX1 1UB.

 

Safeguarding Links & Information (Calderdale)

See the Calderdale Safeguarding website.

If you are worried about a vulnerable child or adult see https://safeguarding.calderdale.gov.uk/report-concerns/ for information on how to report your concerns.

See additional WY Safeguarding information in our Clinical Governance section here.

 

Craven Sexual Health (EHC) Service

This service in Craven is commissioned by North Yorkshire Council.

For more information on this service in Craven, or if you are interested in signing up to provide this service, please email the North Yorkshire HAS Contracting Team: HASContracting@northyorks.gov.uk. Your query will then be passed onto the relevant lead.

 

Kirklees Sexual Health (EHC) Service

Locala – Kirklees EHC Pharmacy Subcontract April 2023

FSRH Emergency Contraception Decision Making Tree

Kirklees Consultation Form 2023

Levonorgestrel PGD v2 valid from March 2023 (Bradford & Kirklees)

 

Claims for the service are processed via PharmOutcomes.  Queries about payments for the Kirklees EHC Service should be directed to info@cpwy.org.

Service Commissioner: Locala Community Partnerships CIC

Service Lead: Jo Marshall – jo.marshall@locala.org.uk

 

Signposting Information (Kirklees)

Locala offer a free and confidential service providing contraception and STI (sexually transmitted infection) care in clinics across Huddersfield and Dewsbury.  See https://www.locala.org.uk/services/sexual-health/ for details.

Patients can make an appointment in Kirklees (or get advice about a drop-in session) by calling 030 3330 9981 or appointments can be made online via the link above.

Note: phone lines in Kirklees are open Monday to Thursday 08:00-17:00, Friday 08:00-15:30 and Saturday 09:30-11:30 (excluding Bank Holidays).

 

Safeguarding Links & Information (Kirklees)

See the Kirklees Childrens Safeguarding Board website for information, including contact details for the Duty & Advice Team and who to contact if you are worried about a child in Kirklees.

For vulnerable adults in Kirklees see http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/adult-social-care-providers/safeguarding-adults-information-professionals.aspx.

See additional WY Safeguarding information in our Clinical Governance section here.

 

Kirklees C-Card Scheme

The Kirklees C-Card scheme allows trained members of the pharmacy team to offer free condoms to 13-24 year olds. There is no payment for providing this scheme, which runs separately to the Kirklees EHC commissioned service, but pharmacies providing the Kirklees EHC service (or any pharmacy with a high footfall of young people) may want to be able to offer free condoms to their patients.

The Kirklees C-Card Scheme aims to:

  • Improve access to male and female condoms, lube and dams.
  • Give information about sexual health.
  • Develop skills on how to use condoms correctly.
  • Provide support.
  • Sign-post young people to other services.

Once trained, all equipment to run the scheme will be provided by Locala.

Training for staff is delivered virtually (via Microsoft Teams) and will provide information about the C-Card scheme, including registration of young people onto the scheme, and additional information on supporting young people to stay sexually healthy. The training sessions last 3.5 hours and can be booked via the following link Locala Sexual Health Services Events.

If your pharmacy would be interested in providing the Kirklees C-Card scheme and would like further information, please contact the Locala Sexual Health Outreach Team on 0333 043 6219 or email lcp.shopt@nhs.net.

 

Claims for the service are processed via PharmOutcomes.  Queries about payments for the Leeds EHC service should be directed to Richard Stephenson, 0113 220 8564.

Service Lead: Heather Hayes, heather.hayes1@nhs.net

 

Note – The Leeds EHC service only pays a £10 consultation fee.  Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire have previously made representations to the commissioner on pharmacy contractors’ behalf for an increase in the £10 EHC supply fee due to the level of clinical input required to deliver this service.  Supply of EHC is under a Patient Group Direction which carries significant clinical responsibility and pharmacy contractors should be adequately remunerated for the clinical decision making associated with the supply of EHC.  Before applying to provide the service contractors should consider the burden of delivering the service for the remuneration available.

Chlamydia/Gonorrhoea screening is commissioned as part of this service.  Dual screen test kits are provided by Preventx.  To order additional kits, email Jane at jane@preventx.com or call 0333 344 4462 and ask for Jane.

Condoms and pregnancy tests are provided FOC by Leeds Community Healthcare for pharmacies commissioned to provide the Leeds Sexual Health service. Refer to the service specification for information on how to order.

 

Signposting Information (Leeds)

See https://leedssexualhealth.com/for contraceptive information, advice and available sexual health services in Leeds.

 

Safeguarding Links & Information (Leeds)

The Safeguarding Children’s Team can be contacted to discuss any concerns relating to child protection.  See https://www.leedsscp.org.uk/Concerned-about-a-child.

To raise safeguarding concerns for adults see:  https://leedssafeguardingadults.org.uk/.

See additional WY Safeguarding information in our Clinical Governance section here.

 

Leeds 3 in 1 Scheme

The 3 in 1 scheme allows trained members of the pharmacy team to offer free condoms, pregnancy testing and chlamydia/gonorrhoea testing to 13-24 year olds. There is no payment for providing this scheme, which runs separately to the Leeds EHC commissioned service, but pharmacies with a high footfall of young people may want to be able to offer this additional sexual health support (e.g. free condoms) to their patients.

Leeds 3 in 1 Scheme Information & Frequently Asked Questions

Once trained, all equipment to run the scheme e.g. all condom products/testing kits are provided by Leeds City Council.

Training for staff is delivered either over a full day or 2 mornings and will cover the 3 aspects of the 3 in 1 scheme – C-card (condom distribution), pregnancy testing and chlamydia/gonorrhoea screening kits,  as well as providing additional information around supporting young people to stay sexually healthy.  Please see here for more info on the training and here for info on the C-Card element of the scheme.

If your pharmacy would be interested in providing the 3 in 1 scheme, please contact Kerry Swift on 0113 3786066 or by email: Kerry.swift@leeds.gov.uk.

 

Wakefield Sexual Health (EHC) Service

Wakefield EHC Contract 2023/24

Wakefield Levonorgestrel PGD – March 2023

Wakefield EHC Record

Wakefield EHC Pathway

Wakefield Pharmacy Level 1 Sexual Health Scheme

Wakefield Sexual Health Scheme Overview – Presentation Slides

Wakefield EHC Launch Event Video

FSRH Guideline – Emergency Contraception

Wakefield EHC Pharmacy Poster

 

Claims for the service are processed via PharmOutcomes. Queries about payments for the Wakefield EHC service should be directed to info@cpwy.org.

Service Commissioner: Spectrum Community Health CIC

Service Lead: Julia Brooke – Julia.brooke@spectrum-cic.nhs.uk – 01924 979172.

 

Referral & Contact Information (Wakefield)

Referring into WISH – Information for Primary Care Referrers

 

Signposting Information (Wakefield)

Patients can be signposting to https://spectrumhealth.org.uk/services/sexual-health/ for details of sexual health clinics and services in Wakefield. Patients can also be directed to this website to order screening kits for chlamydia/gonorrhoea.  The website includes an interactive map for patients to find their nearest clinic.  Details of clinics can be found at https://spectrumhealth.org.uk/services/sexual-health/find-clinic-3/wakefield-district-clinics-2/.

 

Safeguarding Links & Information (Wakefield)

The Safeguarding Children’s Team can be contacted to discuss any concerns relating to child protection. See https://www.wakefieldscp.org.uk/.

To raise safeguarding concerns for adults see:  http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/health-care-and-advice/adults-and-older-people-services/safeguarding/safeguarding.

For concerns about a child or adult’s safety or well-being, contact Social Care Direct free on 0345 8503 503 who will deal with your concerns and can offer advice and support on what to do.

See additional WY Safeguarding information in our Clinical Governance section here.

 

 

 

If you are interested in providing this service in your pharmacy please click here for information on what you need to do.

 

 

Last Updated: 6th February 2024