Emergency department post-coital contraception in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Background The granting of a licence to Levonelle as an emergency hormonal contraceptive in the Republic of Ireland may require accident and emergency (A&E) departments to formally provide such a service. This article outlines the experiences of a Northern Ireland A&E unit.

Aims To examine the pattern of attendance of patients requesting emergency contraception at an A&E department and to assess if adequate standards of care are achieved.

Method Retrospective case note review of 100 patients attending the A&E department requesting emergency contraception.

Results Sixty-one per cent of requests for emergency contraception were outside normal pharmacy opening hours. Seventy-seven per cent of these patients were less than 26 years old. Most (63%) attended within 24 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. Forty-three per cent of the patients studied had used no contraception prior to this request. Recording of menstrual details and sexual behaviour as part of the consultation was variable.

Conclusions A&E departments receive requests for emergency hormonal contraception particularly from younger women (<25 years). A&E staff must have appropriate training and support to manage these consultations effectively.