Sexual & Reproductive Health
The departments of Sexual & Reproductive Health (formerly known as Family Planning) and Genitourinary Medicine merged in 2008 and are now known as the department of Sexual Health.
The administrative base is at Glenalmond House, Coathill Hospital, Coatbridge ML5 4DN and there are clinics every day across Lanarkshire. Most clinics are combined clinics and patients can be see and managed in a single clinic with both Genitourinary Medicine and contraceptive consultations.
There are still a few traditional Family Planning/Sexual & Reproductive Health clinics dealing with contraception mainly.
There is a dedicated appointment line which patients or GPs can refer into: 0845 618 7191.
This is open 9am – 4.45pm Monday to Friday.
There is a sexual health link on FirstPort under clinical service. This has links to West of Scotland Protocols
There is also a public website, Lanarkshire Sexual Health, which has up to date information on all clinics and on contraception and sexual transmitted infections.
Contraception Referral Notes:
Chlamydia testing in women requesting Intrauterine Contraception
It is good practice to perform a Chlamydia test prior to fitting an Intrauterine Device in women under the age of 25 years and women over 25 years old with a new sexual partner in the past year or more than 1 partner in the last year or if their regular partner has other partners. A self obtained vulval vaginal swab for Chlamydia should be taken prior to referral. If this is not done, this will be done at the time of fitting of the device, however, it may be that the fitting of the device is deferred if the women has symptoms etc.
Additional Information
Patients who request an intrauterine system (IUS) for Gynaecological reasons and are not requiring contraception, should be referred to Gynaecology.
Patients on Nexplanon commonly get nuisance bleeding patterns. Patients with no contra-indications to the combined pill may use Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) for up to three months while they have the Nexplanon in-situ, provided they have a pregnancy test which is negative. This is an off label use of the COC but is recommended by the Clinical Effectiveness Unit (CEU) of the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Health (FSRH).
The following priority conditions are not suitable for SCI Referral and women should self-refer via the Appointment Line: 0845 618 7191
Emergency Contraception
Women requiring emergency contraception can be prescribed Levonelle which is free in many community pharmacies in NHSL. Women presenting after 72 hours or more i.e. 72 hours since unprotected sexual intercourse can use oral emergency hormonal contraception called EllaOne. This works up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. EllaOne is available in the sexual health services or on prescription via the GP. As EllaOne is four times the price of Levonelle, it is only used between 72 – 120 hours after the unprotected sex. EllaOne can be used in young (under 16’s) vulnerable chaotic clients who are mid cycle and who do not wish an Intrauterine Device (IUD).
Women who wish the most effective method of emergency contraception need counselled re-fitting of an Intrauterine Device (IUD) as this is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. An IUD can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse or up to five days after the earliest possible ovulation (i.e. up to day 19 on a 28 day cycle).
The Protocol for Emergency Hormonal Contraception is available on West of Scotland Protocols website, where you can also view the Emergency Hormonal Contraception protocol.
Termination of Pregnancy
Women who require a termination of pregnancy can be referred to the Sexual Health Service where the GP does not offer referral to women’s health unit. They will be seen within 48 hours if they ask for an emergency appointment.
Recent Sexual Assault (within last 7 days)
Women or men who make an allegation of sexual assault within the last seven days should be encouraged to self refer to Archway:
Telephone: 0141-211-8175
The forensic examination can be carried out whether or not the woman or man wishes police involvement.