Sexual Health Hounslow and Hounslow Council promote free sexual health and contraception services at pharmacies

Sexual Health Hounslow (SHH), part of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s award-winning sexual health service, has joined forces with Hounslow Council to launch a new campaign to raise awareness of the sexual health support available at local pharmacies.

Coinciding with Sexual Health Week (14-20 September), the ‘More Than Medicine’ campaign aims to ensure residents know about the range of confidential, accessible sexual health services available in their community, including the C-Card scheme, emergency hormonal contraception (EHC), access to the contraceptive pill, and free sexual health testing kits.

At the heart of the campaign are two short films featuring young people visiting a local pharmacy, highlighting the wide range of sexual health services available there. The film challenges perceptions of what pharmacies offer and demonstrates how easy, convenient and confidential it can be for young people to access sexual health services.

Through the campaign, residents are encouraged to make use of:

• The C-Card scheme, which provides young people (under 24 years) with free condoms and sexual health advice.
• Emergency hormonal contraception, available from participating pharmacies for eligible residents.
• The contraceptive pill, available without a prescription through participating pharmacies for people who need to start the pill for the first time, restart after a break, or obtain an ongoing supply.
• Free self-sampling sexual health testing kits, which can be ordered discreetly for testing at home.

Ellen Dwyer, Clinical Lead at SHH, said “Sexual health is an essential part of our overall health and wellbeing, however young people are often unsure of how to access services, or embarrassed and worried about attending formal clinic settings. This campaign is an excellent way of ensuring that young people can receive the support they need in a familiar and approachable environment.”

 Cllr Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, London Borough of Hounslow Council, said: “Hounslow’s pharmacies are a brilliant resource that offer health and wellbeing services in the heart of our communities. It’s important that everyone is aware what they offer, including free contraception and sexual health services.

“We all remember being young and how awkward those conversations can be, so these videos are a great way to put people’s mind at ease by making clear how easy the process is.

“They also highlight that these conversations are always confidential, and your parents and peers will only know about them if that’s what you choose.”