PCA(P)(2024)30 - Updated Documentation for Emergency and Bridging Contraception
Published: 14/10/24
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for the provision of desogestrel as bridging contraception. It also encloses updated service specifications for both the emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) and bridging contraception (BC) services as well as supporting guidance.
Background
Directions for the Public Health Service enable community pharmacies to provide emergency and bridging contraception. The current version, the Health Board Additional Pharmaceutical Services (Public Health Service) (Scotland) Directions 2023 (“2023 Directions”) was issued when naloxone emergency supply was also added to the Public Health Service. The Directions are available in NHS Circular PCA(P)(2023)34, issued on 12 September 2023.
NHS Circular PCA(P)(2015)20, issued on 14 September 2015, enclosed a revised service specification for emergency hormonal contraception.
NHS Circular PCA(P)(2021)12, issued on 23 September 2021, announced the introduction of bridging contraception and enclosed a service specification.
A Patient Group Direction for the supply of desogestrel as bridging contraception was rolled out in 2021. It has now been reviewed and updated. Health Boards are responsible for local governance processes to approve, sign and publish the PGD.
Detail
A short life working group was set up earlier this year to review the existing services, to make suggested improvements to the service specifications, and provide input to the PGD review process.
Documents attached to this circular are as follows: