As of 29 October 2025, people in South Yorkshire can receive oral hormonal and emergency contraception directly at their pharmacies rather than needing a GP's or sexual health clinic appointment.
A person may self-refer or be referred by their general practice, sexual health clinic or equivalent, to a participating pharmacy.
A pharmacy may also identify a person is suitable for the service and highlight it to appropriate individuals.
The service offers greater choice from where people can access contraception services, helping to meet demand for more complex assessments.
People can access the service by:
- Being identified as clinically suitable by the community pharmacist or pharmacy technician and accepting the offer of service.
- Self-referring to a community pharmacy
- Being signposted by their GP
- Being signposted by a sexual health clinic
- Being signposted by another NHS service provider
Anthony Fitzgerald, Executive Place Director for Doncaster and Executive Lead for Primary Care, NHS South Yorkshire said: “The Pharmacy Contraception Service will widen access and create capacity for the provision of contraceptive services in South Yorkshire.
“Community pharmacies are an accessible and convenient place for people to receive advice and support for their contraception needs
“The Pharmacy Contraception Service will help to address health inequalities in the region by providing more accessible healthcare options for people within their communities.”
Eligible individuals can be considered for:
- Emergency Contraception (an individual of childbearing age)
- Combined Oral Contraceptive (from menarche up to and including 49 years of age)
- Progestogen Only Pill (from menarche up to and including 54 years of age or 49 for Drospirenone)
To find a pharmacy delivering this service please search: Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription – NHS (www.nhs.uk)