The new service for women in Solihull to access long-acting contraception methods has been a huge success with nearly 120 women benefiting from the service since it was launched in August 2023.
Solihealth Women’s Care clinic enables women to access Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) services more easily and conveniently right across Solihull.
LARC include coils and hormonal implants, which are very effective birth control methods. They allow women to manage their contraception more easily and for years at a time.
All contraceptive services are free of charge, and GP practices will be able to provide further advice and guidance to patients.
With the new service GPs unable to offer their own LARC service can refer patients to a local hub run by Solihealth – this is a collaboration between all the GP practices that make up the Solihull Locality.
This enhanced service for patients registered at Solihull GP practices is funded by Solihull Council’s Public Health team and has been created with primary care providers from across the borough.
Patient testimonies:
Patient 1
“After seeing my GP I was referred to Solihealth Women's Care clinic. On the same day as being referred, I received a phone call offering me an appointment for the following week. I then received a text confirmation along with a leaflet for me to read.
".... the staff were lovely and made me feel very comfortable and at ease. I'm very happy with the overall experience and will continue to use this service”.
Patient 2
“I did not have to wait long for my appointment, which was good. I felt very nervous when I went to my appointment, as this was my first time having a coil fitted. The woman who did the procedure made me feel at ease and she was very informative with every step she took from beginning to the end.
“I was given an information leaflet for after care, which I thought was very good as this was my first time and did not know what I should expect afterwards.
“I would recommend this service to all my friends, and I will definitely be using the service when I need a replacement.”
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Solihull Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Wellbeing, Skills & Inclusion, said:
“I am so pleased the new service is proving to be popular and is helping women get the range of contraception services they need.
“The feedback we have received from patients is heartening and reinforces our decision to fund the LARC service and improve women’s health and well-being.
“This is a great example of the Council and health colleagues working together to find new ways to improve health and care for the residents of Solihull.
“This service not only helps deal with health inequalities within the borough, but also directly links with rates of terminations and underage pregnancies which we want to reduce.”
Dr Tara Shah, from Solihealth and Solihull Locality Clinical Lead - BSol ICB (Integrated Care Board), said:
“It is great to see the service being used by so many women. A lot of ladies are attending from areas of Solihull which previously had a very poor uptake of LARC which was one of the primary reasons for setting up this service – to ensure equality of access and provision.
“Its success shows delivering services from local hubs is working well and we are currently exploring other services that we can add alongside the LARC service.
“LARC is a popular choice for women, and I am confident it will help reduce the conception rate among our under 18s and we will see fewer abortions as well, which have both increased over the past few years.”