Emergency hormonal contraception

The aim of this resource is to help develop your confidence, knowledge, skills and attitudes to offer an emergency contraception service and a chlamydia testing and treatment service, and to be able to deal professionally with a safeguarding issue should one arise in the course of your practice.

The FSRH have launched new guidance on emergency contraception this can be found here. We are in the process of updating this programme to incorporate this guidance.

#CPPEsexualhealth

Learning Objectives:

• demonstrate a good understanding of contraception and emergency contraception, the aims of the service and its place in contraception and sexual health services overall
• describe the presentation and management of chlamydia infection, and the aims of the chlamydia testing and treatment service and how it fits with the local sexual health agenda
• summarise the background and policy surrounding the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and the issues this raises for pharmacy professionals
• describe the use of the patient group direction and associated paperwork for the indicated treatments
• demonstrate effective person-centred consultation skills to handle problematic situations
• demonstrate the ability to counsel and advise clients appropriately and sensitively, and refer for further care
• provide evidence for many of the competencies required to deliver emergency contraception and chlamydia services as described in the CPPE Declaration of Competence frameworks for each of these services.

The overall aim of this programme is to acquire the knowledge, develop the skills and demonstrate the behaviours needed to provide high-quality emergency contraception services as part of your pharmacy practice.

This is an opportunity to hear from a local expert in contraception and sexual health as well as to reflect on your current practice with your colleagues. You will also get to have a taster peer discussion which you could choose to continue after the event to support your GPhC revalidation.

Learning Objectives:

• describe the aims of an emergency contraceptive service and its place in contraception and sexual health services
• describe the principles of confidentiality and appropriate safeguarding
• work to emergency contraception consultations
• use the patient group direction appropriately to ensure that medico-legal aspects are balanced with the woman’s safety and preferences
• apply current clinical guidance to emergency contraception consultations to provide safe and effective care
• demonstrate a person-centred approach to the discussion being sensitive to the needs and preferences of the woman
• explain how and when you would refer or signpost a woman to a further service and how you would access further support and advice from local sexual health services if needed.

This programme will help pharmacy teams to identify who may need advice and support, how they can give that support and what is the best course of action. It includes information on emergency hormonal contraception, the copper-bearing and the intrauterine device.

It has been developed to support pharmacists to set up an emergency contraception (EC) service as an enhanced community service.

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) has produced guidance for healthcare professionals on contraceptive provision, including emergency contraception, after changes to Covid-19 lockdown. You can find the FSRH resources here.

Learning Objectives:

• describe the development of EC supply in community pharmacy
• explain the options available for EC
• conduct a high-quality EC consultation, resulting in supply or signposting
• include messages in your consultation about the coil, condoms, contraception and chlamydia.

The aim of this learning resource is to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to deal professionally with any safeguarding issues that may arise in the course of your practice.

Completion of the programme and the associated Level 2 assessment will fulfil the safeguarding requirements at Level 2 for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as required for the Pharmacy Quality Scheme and by the intercollegiate document Safeguarding children and young people.

Completion of the programme and the associated Level 1 assessment will allow pharmacy support staff to prove their competence at Level 1 as required by the intercollegiate document Safeguarding children and young people.

Learning Objectives:

• explain your role in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and be aware of your legal, ethical and professional responsibilities
• describe the different types of abuse that children and vulnerable adults may be subjected to and know how to recognise the potential signs of abuse
• know who to contact for advice if you have concerns about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult
• take appropriate action if you suspect a case of abuse or neglect, including appropriately reporting and recording your concerns and sharing of information
• be able to identify and refer on an individual suspected of being a victim of trafficking, child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation or at risk of radicalisation.

Supported by Health Education England (HEE), in association with the Department of Health and NHS England, this short video presents a series of scenarios involving a young person potentially at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and uses the voice of a real-life victim who talks about her experiences at the hands of a CSE gang.

The video provides practical advice on what to do if you suspect a patient or person in your care is at risk and makes it clear that there is a responsibility to report any activity that you think is suspicious.

Learning Objectives:

• describe what CSE is, who is at risk and the impact it can have on young people's lives
• recognise the indicators of CSE in various healthcare settings
• understand your professional responsibility to take action to protect and support any young person you suspect may be at risk of CSE.

Work your way around the Sexual health learning topic, taking part in bite-sized interactive challenges that will help you and your team support and give advice to patients about emergency hormonal contraception. The challenges will help you if you are planning to offer chlamydia screening, while also promoting safer sex.

You can access this learning here: Sexual health - theLearningpharmacy.com

Learning Objectives:

• describe new methods of engaging with patients and the public
• develop and run an effective health promotion campaign in your pharmacy
• provide advice and signposting on self-care and public health
• explain how you would develop and deliver a successful pharmacy service
• explain how to deal effectively with patient queries about long term conditions or medicines
• support a person presenting with a new prescription
• describe how to advise appropriately a patient requesting an OTC medicine
• become more confident in dealing with therapeutic challenges and prescription interventions
• identify and meet the professional development needs of the pharmacy team.

This e-assessment is linked with the CPPE Emergency contraception e-learning programme and assesses you on the learning objectives within that programme.

Why should I do this assessment?

This e-assessment is linked with the CPPE Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults – a guide for the pharmacy team programme and assesses you on the learning objectives within that programme.

Why should I do this assessment?

NICE Quality standard 129 Contraception

This resource will help pharmacy professionals acquire the knowledge, develop the skills and demonstrate the attitudes necessary to offer an emergency contraception service.

The FSRH have launched new guidance on emergency contraception this can be found here. We are in the process of updating this programme to incorporate this guidance.

Learning Objectives:

• understand the aims of an emergency contraception service and its place in contraception and sexual health services overall
• understand confidentiality issues and be aware of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
• understand and apply the medico-legal aspects of patient group directions, especially as applied to young people under 16 (Fraser guidelines)
• undertake the administration of the patient group directions, including all necessary record-keeping and associated paperwork
• apply the clinical content of the patient group direction(s)
• be aware of the details of when to carry out a pregnancy test and the actions to be taken following the result
• understand how and when to refer clients (signpost) and when to ask for support and advice from the local contraception and sexual health services
• advise clients appropriately and sensitively, and refer for further contraceptive care
• know what sources of support are available to the pharmacists involved in the provision of this service.

FSRH CEU clinical guidance: emergency contraception, March 2017

NHS Choices emergency contraception (morning after pill, IUD)

Gov.uk