Sexual Health

Oral contraception

Most people are now able to visit their local pharmacy for oral contraception (mini pill and combined pill), free of charge. Therefore, Woodlands Medical Centre will now be providing oral contraception for a minority of patients with specific circumstances who the pharmacists are unable to offer the service to. People who may not be able to get contraception via the pharmacists are those who fit into the below criteria.

• Under 16yrs
• Aged 50 and over
• People who are not taking it for contraceptive reasons
• People who may lack capacity to make contraceptive choices, for example, some people with learning disabilities

If you fall into the categories above, you can either visit the local sexual health service or continue to visit Woodlands Medical Centre for your contraception. If requesting contraception on a repeat prescription, you must make the reason why you are taking it clear. i.e. ‘I am using contraception for period control only’.

The pharmacists have been trained to discuss your contraceptive needs and will go through all necessary safety checks. They are then able to prescribe the same range of pills that a GP would be able to prescribe. Please see this link for more information on how this service functions.

Please see below for local participating pharmacies.

• Day Lewis- Great Western Park
• Boots- Orchard Centre
• Tesco- Didcot
• Didcot Pharmacy (next to Woodlands)

National Support