New mums will be able to discuss their contraception needs while they’re on Walsall Manor Hospital’s maternity wards thanks to a new service that has been set up for them.

Sexual health nurses will be visiting these wards five mornings a week (Monday to Friday), to offer contraception advice to new mothers. The nurses will be able to dispense the Progesterone only pill, Depo Injection and condoms, and discuss the range of contraceptive options available .  Appointments will also be made for Intrauterine Device insertion (coils), as well as implantable contraception.

The service is being led by Tanya Grainger, Senior Sister for Walsall Integrated Sexual Health, supported by a team of sexual health nurses.

Maternity Inpatient Ward Manager, Sarah Jacques, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer this new service to mums with the expertise and knowledge of our sexual health colleagues.

“While our new mums will naturally be concentrating on their babies it’s an important aspect of their postnatal care and we want to be able to ensure all women are informed of their options.”

Carla Jones-Charles, Interim Divisional Director of Midwifery, Gynaecology and Sexual Health added: “This approach allows women to access services within one care setting for convenience rather than having to visit their GP or other clinics which is also safer for them during the current pandemic climate.”