Protect your sexual health - always look for the kitemark
Coventry Integrated Sexual Health Service is encouraging everyone to check their contraception for safety standard marks before use.
All contraception should feature an expiry date and batch number, plus a British Standards Kitemark and CE European Standards mark.
It is understood that contraception may be being distributed at social venues across the city, particularly aimed at new university and college students, which are for promotional purposes only and don’t feature safety markings and which may fail when used.
The service, run by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, provides free and confidential care and advice on all aspects of sexual health. Services include testing for sexually transmitted infection (STI) and chlamydia, contraception (including free condoms), emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, HIV care, and general sexual health advice.
Charlotte Hubbard, Lead Nurse for Young and Vulnerable People in the Sexual Health Service, said: “We want young people to have fun but stay safe so we are encouraging everyone to always check their contraception for the safety marks. They are there for a reason.
“It’s important that young people take responsibility for their own sexual health. That’s why we promote the C Card scheme which offers free condoms and chlamydia screening for 13-25 year olds living in Coventry.”
For more information on the services provided by Coventry Integrated Sexual Health Service, and to see clinic opening times, visit www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk and search ‘sexual health’. For more information on the C-Card scheme visit www.besavvy.org.uk.