A NEW service developed by local GPs and Solihull Council will give women in Solihull better access to long-acting contraception methods.
This is the first step in a longer-term programme to improve women’s healthcare in Solihull as part of wider national plans to develop Women’s Health Hubs.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), which include coils and hormonal implants, are very effective birth control methods.
The service can vary across the borough as it is dependent on the GP practice having the appropriately trained healthcare professionals.
This means some patients who want this service have to travel further than their usual GP practice.
Solihull Council’s Public Health team has worked closely with primary care providers in the borough to update the way these services are delivered and have created a new additional local service for patients registered at Solihull GP practices.
This new service will ensure women can access LARC services more easily and conveniently right across Solihull.
Coun Karen Grinsell, Solihull Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Wellbeing, Skills and Inclusion, said: “We have a long-term vision to improve women’s health and well-being including improving support for menopause and better integrating services into local hubs. Our new LARC service is the first step on the road.
“As part of our joint working with Birmingham and Solihull ICB, we are increasingly developing joint local solutions across the public sector, collaborating at local level to improve health and care for the residents of Solihull”
This new service will ensure women can access LARC services more easily and conveniently right across Solihull.
Dr Tara Shah, from Solihealth and Solihull Locality Clinical Lead – BSol ICB, said: “This new model of working at scale but in partnership with our local GP surgeries will ensure that access to contraception is equal for women in Solihull, independent of where they live or which GP they are registered with.
“This is a fantastic step towards addressing this health inequality that links directly with rates of terminations and underage pregnancies.
“The Solihealth Women’s Care Centre will be accessible via referrals from GP practices – we hope to build in other services in addition to contraception provision in the near future.”
