HC Deb 13 July 1999 vol 335 c152W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make emergency contraception available on the NHS to women in advance of their need to use it. [91044]

Ms Jowell

Hormonal emergency contraception is available on the National Health Service from clinics, any general practitioner who provides contraceptive services—not just the woman's usual general practitioner—family planning clinics, youth advisory services, some hospital accident and emergency departments and some genito-urinary clinics. While not to be prescribed for use as a regular contraceptive, a doctor may, under the terms of the licence, prescribe hormonal emergency contraception prospectively where, in his or her clinical judgment, it is appropriate and there is a risk that the usual method of contraception might fail or not be used.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to set up pilot schemes for the prescription of contraceptives by nurses and pharmacists under group protocols, as outlined in the Crown Review of prescribing and administration of drugs. [91043]

Ms Jowell

I currently have no plans to do so.