NHS Contraception Service in Worksop

The NHS Contraception Service lets you start, restart or continue your oral contraceptive pill at a community pharmacy, without needing to see your GP. Our pharmacists are trained to manage both the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill, and the service is free at the point of use for anyone eligible.

You can use the service if you want to begin a new pill, switch to a different one, or get an ongoing supply of the pill you already take. After a short, confidential consultation, our pharmacist will check that the pill is safe and suitable for you, supply it where appropriate, and arrange any follow-up checks such as blood pressure monitoring.

The service is open to most people who can become pregnant and who would like to start or continue oral contraception. Our pharmacist will take a short medical history to make sure the pill is right for you. If it is not, we will explain why and signpost you to your GP or a sexual health clinic.

Your consultation takes around 15 minutes and is held in our private consultation room. Our pharmacist will ask about your general health, any medication you take, your family history, and your lifestyle, including whether you smoke. We will also check your blood pressure and, where needed, your weight, as these can affect which pill is safest for you.

If the pill is suitable, we will supply it on the NHS along with clear written and verbal advice on how to take it, what to do if you miss a dose, and what to look out for. If it is not suitable, we will explain why and refer you on. Either way, the consultation itself is always free.

The contraceptive pill is very safe for most people, but it is not right for everyone. There are some health conditions and circumstances where the combined pill in particular may not be suitable, and the progestogen-only pill or another method may be a better fit.

Please tell our pharmacist about any of the points below at your appointment. None of them automatically rule the pill out, but they help us make a safe, personalised recommendation.

If you are starting a new pill, our pharmacist will explain when it begins to work, whether you need extra protection in the first few days, and how to take it correctly. We will also book any follow-up checks you need, such as a blood pressure review.

If you experience side effects such as persistent headaches, mood changes, breakthrough bleeding or breast tenderness, please come back and speak to us so we can review your pill. Seek urgent medical advice from your GP or NHS 111 if you develop sudden chest pain, breathlessness, severe leg pain or swelling, or sudden vision changes, as these can be signs of a rare but serious side effect.