Getting hold of your contraceptive pill should not mean waiting weeks for a GP slot. The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service allows our pharmacist to start you on oral contraception or keep you supplied with a pill you already take — all from the pharmacy here in Crewe, and free on the NHS.

What the service covers

There are two routes available:

Starting contraception — if you would like to begin taking the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill, the pharmacist can assess you and, where it is appropriate, supply it.
Continuing contraception — if you are already settled on a pill that suits you, we can carry on providing it without you needing to return to your GP each time.

Your consultation

Everything is discussed privately in our consultation room. The pharmacist will ask about your medical history, any other medicines you take and your general health, and may check your blood pressure, height and weight to make sure a particular pill is right for you. If the combined pill is not the safest choice in your case, the progestogen-only pill is often a suitable alternative, and the pharmacist will talk this through with you.

If the pharmacy route is not right for you

Occasionally this service is not the best option — for example if you would benefit from a method we cannot provide here, such as a coil or an implant. Where that applies, the pharmacist will explain the reasons and direct you to your GP or a local sexual health clinic.

Getting started

No appointment or referral is needed. Call 01270 215837 or visit the pharmacy during opening hours, and the team will help you take the next step.