Healthwatch Southend prepared a report looking at people's experiences of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) in Southend, and how to increase take-up.
Summary
Healthwatch Southend acts as the independent voice of local people who use NHS and care services. We capture the lived experience of local people, which can be used to improve services. Because of our independence, we were asked by Southend City Council’s Public Health team to find out the views and experiences of those who access sexual health services, specifically Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) to determine how to increase take-up.
LARC can include the contraceptive implant, injection or coil.
Key Findings
Two clear messages emerged from the experiences of the women we heard from:
1. Access to information
2. Access to services
Information needs to:
1. provide sufficient information to allow informed choices to be made, dispelling myths
2. be easy to access online and in other forms
3. reflect the levels of literacy in Southend as well as being culturally sensitive
Concerns were raised about long waiting times, which may lead to some women not taking up the service, seeking alternatives or not using contraception at all. Action is needed across the system to address such concerns, including links with the emerging women’s health hubs and primary care access recovery.
Click below to download the full reportÂ
As part of our research, we offered those who completed our survey the chance to win a £10 voucher, and those who attended our focus groups the chance to win a £15 voucher. We are in the process of contacting the winners of each prize draw.
For more information, please email info@healthwatchsouthend.co.uk or call 01702 416320.