Pharmacy offers contraceptive implants in UK-first

Pharmacist Matt Harvey and Sian Davies from Axess Sexual Health said the service was available six days a week

A city pharmacy has become the first in the UK to offer free contraceptive implants as part of an NHS pilot.

The scheme has been introduced by the NHS and Liverpool City Council to help reduce rates of unintended pregnancies and increase access to contraception in Liverpool.

Green Lane Pharmacy on Allerton Road is offering the service for a 12-month period.

"Having it out in the community when we are open six days a week... will hopefully help expand the provisions to patients who need it the most," said pharmacist Matt Harvey.

Implants are normally only available via sexual health clinics or GP surgeries.

Mr Harvey said one of the reasons the pharmacy had been selected for the trial was its proximity to university student accommodation.

He said "the pregnancy rate in Liverpool is still higher than other areas" and student sexual health was a high priority.

"Sometimes coming to a sexual health service is daunting but also people know why you're going there, whereas coming into a pharmacy you could be coming for absolutely anything so it's much more discreet," said Sian Davies from Axess Sexual Health, which is providing the service.

Planned roll out

The council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Harry Doyle said the initiative "will help more people obtain the contraception they need and reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies in the city".

He said he looked forward to seeing the outcome of the pilot and plans for a broader roll out to more locations.

The scheme is set to be rolled out to other pharmacies across Liverpool after the initial pilot phase.

The contraceptive implant is a small, flexible plastic rod inserted under the skin of the upper arm by a doctor or nurse.

It is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) which releases a hormone called progestogen to prevent pregnancy for up to three years.