Primary Care Re-Commissioning Consultation - Service Users/Residents

Overview

Lewisham Council commission a variety of services within Pharmacies and GP Surgeries to meet the needs our residents.  These Services aim to help and support local communities to access contraception, medication and harm reduction interventions for drug and alcohol use based on their level of need.

We would like to get your views on the following services:

• LARC (Long Acting Reversible Contraception) – LARC refers to a number of reversible, long-acting contraceptive methods including implants and “the coil” which release hormones into the womb which reduce the chance of sperm reaching the egg.  They can currently be accessed from 2 sexual health clinics and 17 GPs across Lewisham on an appointment basis.

• Condom Distribution/Come Correct (C Card) – Condoms are the only type of contraception that can both prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  Residents aged 16-25 within the borough can access free condoms from 19 sites across Lewisham including 13 pharmacies, Humankind Insight, 2 libraries and 2 sexual health clinics.  Residents older than 25 can also access free condoms from sexual health clinics and all GPs within Lewisham.

• EHC (Emergency Hormonal Contraception) – EHC can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed – for example, a condom has split or you have missed a pill.  This can currently be accessed for free at 17 Pharmacies across Lewisham

• Needle Exchange – This service provides free new needles for residents who inject drugs as a harm reduction programme to prevent injury and blood borne viruses.  This can currently be accessed for free at 8 Pharmacies across Lewisham

• Supervised Consumption (SAMS) – This service provides free methadone prescriptions to service users who are aiming to reduce or stop misusing opiates.  This can currently be accessed for free at 30 Pharmacies and 8 GPs across Lewisham

• Vitamin D –  Vitamin D helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.  Free Vitamin D can currently be accessed at 49 Pharmacies across Lewisham.

By informing us of your views we will be able to model and shape both these and future services in order to better meet the needs of all Lewisham residents.