Family planning clinics can be used by women, men and young people, including those who are under 16 years of age.
You can refer yourself to a family planning clinic, or you can be referred by your GP or another health worker.
Family planning clinics provide a range of services including:
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confidential advice about contraception,
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the combined oral contraceptive pill,
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the progestogen-only pill,
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progestogen injections,
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limited supplies of free condoms,
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free emergency contraception,
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confidential advice about Sexually Transmitted Infections,
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cervical screening,
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unplanned pregnancy advice,
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free pregnancy tests,
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pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information, and
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fitting and checking of caps, diaphragms, and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs).
Some family planning clinics may also offer specialist services including:
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incest, rape, and sexual abuse counselling and referral,
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vasectomy counselling and procedures,
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pre-abortion and post-abortion counselling and referral,
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menopause clinics,
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sterilisation counselling and referral,
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'well woman' screening, and
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hormonal coil (IUS) and implant fitting, or retrieval.
Related Supprt groups
You can get details of your nearest family planning clinic from the phone book, your GP, local hospital, health authority, or from the Family Planning Association (FPA) website.
