Work to reform contraceptive services in Jersey is “at risk due to resourcing constraints”, it has emerged – despite the island’s health policy director admitting that the current system is “a mess”.
Birth control was one of three “areas of concern” that the government pledged to focus on when plans to scrap the stand-alone women’s health strategy were revealed last year.
But 18 months later, contraceptive services have seen no change – despite around 700 responses to a survey on the subject.
In May, health policy director Ruth Johnson told a special scrutiny hearing dedicated to women’s health matters that work on improving contraception access would begin once updates to the island’s abortion law were completed.
But it has now emerged that this work is “at risk due to resourcing constraints”.
Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel chair Deputy Louise Doublet told Express: “In terms of women’s health, contraception is another area that needs a co-ordinated approach.
“From questions my panel have asked at public hearings, we understand that work on this area will begin once work has concluded on the termination of pregnancy legislation, due to be debated in February.
“We were informed that a single, simple, coherent contraceptive offer would be finalised by the end of this political term. However, we have also been informed that this is at risk due to resourcing constraints.”
I feel that at the very least, the women of Jersey need to see a published women’s health strategy that clearly states the planned actions and timeline for improving these services
deputy louise doublet
She added: “I feel that at the very least, the women of Jersey need to see a published women’s health strategy that clearly states the planned actions and timeline for improving these services.
“There was a separate consultation, on top of the general women’s health consultation, and women and practitioners who contributed to this have been waiting a long time.
“I know that the relevant ministers care about this issue and are open to finding solutions and I look forward to this evolving and further improvements being made.”
The news comes after the morning-after pill was last week made available for free at all pharmacies across England through the NHS.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell, who has responsibility for women’s health, said work was currently under way to review access to all forms of contraception.
“It is my intention to continue working with the Social Security Minister and her team to consider whether, in future, the morning-after pill may be available free of charge or at a lower cost from pharmacies in Jersey,” she added.
Islanders can currently buy the morning-after pill over the counter at local pharmacies for between £20 and £35.
The morning-after pill is currently free for those aged under 18, or those who are full-time students, from their GPs, for islanders aged 20 or under from Brook, and for those aged 23 or under from the contraception clinic at Le Bas.
Islanders on income support can also access the emergency contraception from their GP during a £10 appointment.