7. The Importance of Access to
7
Evidence-Based, Accurate Information on Contraception
Case Study: Gloucestershire
A shared lesson from contributors was the importance of access to accurate, reliable information on contraception to help facilitate a woman’s informed choice of method. This information should be accessible via the NHS App, in line with the Government’s plan to improve the App as outline in its 10 Year Plan for England . Many services highlighted that women were not aware of the options available to them: “We often find that women on the postnatal ward are unaware of the contraception available for them and that it is safe to use Resources for women must include information on pregnancy spacing, pregnancy preparedness, the full range of contraceptive methods and their effectiveness in delaying or preventing pregnancies and, notably, details of ‘male’ contraceptive methods i.e. vasectomy and condoms. Many contributors shared useful resources, such as the website Contraception Choices, which helps signpost women to easily accessible information on contraception, as well as tools like Brook’s contraception tool (see Resources). when breastfeeding.” Public Health Midwife, South Tees The specific need for better information and awareness of male contraceptive methods was echoed by women involved in a grassroots focus groups led by Maria Viner, CEO at the charity Mothers for Mothers, a women’s perinatal health support charity. All participants involved in the focus groups reported that they would have welcomed discussions regarding the possibilities for male partners and a shared responsibility approach. Dr Rebecca Mawson heard similar responses from focus groups held with marginalised women living in Sheffield: “Can men have more information?... Seriously, they don’t know much, you know, sometimes I say to my husband – you know, why men don’t do contraception!” Woman, Sheffield Contributions from Dr Mawson in Sheffield, and healthcare practitioners in Bradford and Gloucestershire also highlighted the importance of information on contraception being accessible in a range of formats and in different languages to help reduce health inequalities and improve health literacy in all communities. This approach was demonstrated in Gloucestershire: “Communication strategies and materials were adapted to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. The personalised nature of the service offering repeated counselling opportunities and tailored support
In Gloucestershire, training formed a core component of the PPC model’s success. The partnership with specialist sexual health services was particularly valuable, not only for the provision of initial training but also for the ongoing mentorship, support and clinical guidance they offered in supporting the development of the specialist midwife. They delivered direct training and clinical supervision, guided the midwife through her CoSRH Diploma and the Letter of Competence in Subdermal Implants (LoC SDI), and ensured she was equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead the contraceptive service independently. Working alongside sexual health colleagues brought reassurance and credibility to the developing service as well as producing a culture of mutual respect and knowledge exchange. At the outset, the specialist sexual health service provided initial training, and once the appointed specialist midwife had gained confidence in delivering contraception and had achieved the CoSRH Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Health, she took over the delivery of training herself. This transition supported continuity, allowed for context-specific teaching rooted in maternity practice, and strengthened the leadership and sustainability of the programme. A tiered training structure was developed, beginning with a one-day basic training course covering contraceptive counselling and administration. This was followed by intermediate training, which included e-learning, shadowing a specialist midwife, and achieving the Letter of Competence in Subdermal Implants (LoC-CoSRH). The final level involved completing the CoSRH Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Health. Bespoke tools, such as decision aids and role- play scenarios, were also utilised, and local ‘contraception champions’ helped sustain the practice within teams.
22
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator