SH:24
Service update: July 2022
Clinic locations
Progestogen only pill
Emergency contraception
Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)
Young people
Interpreting services
Postnatal contraception
Unplanned pregnancy
Abortion care
Useful websites
SH:24
We continue to offer free oral emergency contraception and contraceptive pills online via SH:24 to anyone over the age of 16. Home testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be ordered at the same time.
This service has been very popular since its initial pilot in February 2022, with excellent user feedback.
SH:24 are experts in sexual and reproductive health and work in partnership with the NHS to provide contraception and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing.
You can order contraceptive pills, including the progestogen only pill (‘mini pill’) and the combined pill through the SH:24 online order page.
To access oral emergency contraception (‘morning after pill’), use the SH:24 emergency contraception online order form.
Please note: Oral emergency contraception is more effective the sooner you take it after unprotected sex. You may get it quicker by contacting our service on 028 9504 5500 during clinic hours than ordering online.
A copper intrauterine device (IUD) is the most effective method of emergency contraception.
You can contact your local service on 028 9504 5500 during clinic hours.
Service update: July 2022
Please note that due to the Covid-19 situation, we no longer have walk-in clinics.
Telemedicine clinics (028 9504 5500) will be offered at the following times:
- Monday to Thursday from 9am to 11:30am and 1.30pm to 3.30pm
- Friday from 9am to 11.30am
Contraception advice is also available from your GP and pharmacist.
After an initial telephone consultation, you will be invited to a face-to-face appointment if necessary. Our current waiting time for coils or implants is four weeks.
All our services are free and confidential. We do not share information with your GP without your consent.
If you are looking for information or a test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), please visit our GUM clinic page.
Clinic locations
Face-to-face appointments for procedures and treatment will be at the following locations:
- College Street Clinic
- Arches Wellbeing and Treatment Centre
- Beech Hall Wellbeing and Treatment Centre
- Carlisle Wellbeing and Treatment Centre
Progestogen only pill
The desogestrel progestogen only pill (Cerazette/Cerelle/Zelleta) is now available without prescription to buy in pharmacies and online under the names Hana or Lovima.
A consultation with a pharmacist is required.
Emergency contraception
The morning after pill is most effective if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 24 hours.
We offer free oral emergency contraception and contraceptive pills online via SH:24 to anyone over the age of 16. Full details are available in our SH:24 section.
It can also be obtained from pharmacies if you cannot access your GP or our service.
A copper IUD (coil) is the most effective method of contraception and advice on this can be provided by our service.
Emergency contraception (‘morning after pill’) is now available FREE from participating pharmacies in NI. Find your nearest pharmacy here.
Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)
These are the most effective method and include the:
- copper coil
- hormonal coil (IUS)
- implant
- injectables
Waiting times for coils and implants are currently less than four weeks.
Please ring for an initial telephone consultation. You will then be added to the waiting list and contacted within a few weeks.
If you require a procedure, for example a coil or implant insertion or removal, you will be added to a waiting list and offered an alternative method of contraception while awaiting an appointment.
We are delighted to now offer Sayana Press – an injectable method you can be taught to administer yourself. You are then provided with a year’s supply.
Young people
We are happy to see young people, but if you are aged 25 or under, you can also get contraception and sexual health advice from Common Youth: 028 9032 8866.
Interpreting services
We can offer telephone or face-to-face consultations for those who cannot speak English. These consultations are with an interpreter or through The Big Word telephone translation service.
Postnatal contraception
Contraception is required if you are sexually active three weeks after delivery.
Staff in the Maternity Hospital can refer you, or you can self-refer on 028 9504 5500 during clinic hours.
Progestogen only methods – progestogen only pill, injection or implant – can be started anytime.
Intrauterine methods – copper coil, Mirena or Kyleena – can be inserted after four weeks if not offered at the time of delivery.
Unplanned pregnancy
Informing Choices NI offers pregnancy choices counselling and advice.
Abortion care
We offer early medical abortion (up to nine weeks and six days of pregnancy) through the Rose Clinic.
We accept referrals through the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). Please complete the online BPAS self-referral form or contact BPAS on 03457 30 40 30.
When a referral has been received by the Rose Clinic, you will be contacted for a telephone consultation within five working days.
You will need to visit the clinic for the first part of treatment. Further information on treatment is available on the BPAS website.
If you are over 10 weeks gestation or prefer a surgical procedure, please contact MSI Reproductive Choices. Telephone: 0333 234 2184.
You will need to travel to a clinic in England. Travel and treatment is funded.