Not thinking about the morning after, but of 50 years ago

When I was a teenager, my world was one of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. Well not drugs. I didn’t indulge then and have never since. Those years, somewhere between me being 15 and 16 were brilliant. Hedonistic for sure, but some of the happiest times of my life. I was just a little too late to be an authentic hippie, but in 1970, I believed I was. There was free love, long hair, the greatest music every made, the pill, and of course beads, bracelets and the ubiquitous Afghan coat. I think it would be fair to say I made the most of my life during that time.

However, responsible adulthood was just around the corner. As far as I know, despite the free love, and ‘easy come easy go’ relationships of that era, my first child entered the world in December 1975. It was time to settle down, I guess. Now there were two stories last week, which reminded me of that time. The first was the story that Gosport had seen the fourth highest rise in teenage pregnancies of all towns across England. For the first time in 14 years, teenage pregnancy rates have started to rise.

I must confess that I had never heard of Gosport and as far as I’m aware, have never met anyone from there. It is in Hampshire. It boasts several museums, including a submarine, a naval fire power, a diving and a Hovercraft museum. There is also an art gallery, and a 1642 Living History Village. As a later life commentator, I would have thought there was more than enough to keep the Gosport teenagers distracted and gainfully occupied. But come to think about it, museums didn’t feature much during my teenage years either.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics on teenage pregnancies in the UK is for the year 2022. Although across England, there has been an overall rise in conception rates for both girls between 16-17 and for girls under 16 years of age, the actual rate remains below that of pre-pandemic levels. So, a good thing, as long as the rate doesn’t continue to rise. However, globally, teenage pregnancy is still a significant public health issue. Across the world, over 21 million pregnancies among 15-19 years olds occur each year.

There is much that can be done. In the UK, local authorities and health services must work more closely together. Together they have a responsibility to ensure young people have access to information and services that facilitate more informed choices about relationships and contraception. Which brings me to that second story.

This was the news that emergency contraception pills will be free for women to get from their local pharmacy. Last week this announcement was described as the ‘biggest change to sexual health services since the 1960s’. The emergency contraception pill, more commonly referred to as the ‘morning after pill’ is now free for women to pick up, without them having to see their GP or get an appointment at a sexual health clinic.

This initiative builds upon the recent introduction in many thousands of pharmacies of contraceptive advice services, consultations and repeat prescriptions without women needing to have a doctor’s appointment. Indeed, Jane’s youngest daughter now gets her contraceptive pill from Boots (there are other pharmacies) where assistants check her blood pressure and general health, before handing over the prescription; something she is well pleased with. She trusts them as health professionals, and her Boots is just a 10-minute walk from her apartment. As we are with our pharmacy team. They know us and we know them too. Over time, they build an important informal knowledge base that if used appropriately, really will help the left shift to neighbourhood and community care.

Whilst this new initiative is aimed at all women of childbearing age, young people under 16 years old will need to be assessed using the Gillick competence and Fraser Guidelines. I refreshed my understanding of these guidelines; you can too here. 

Thankfully, I think the Gillick and Fraser guidelines provide a solid foundation for young people seeking help around contraception and pregnancy, particularly where they don’t want to, or feel able to involve their parents. As in Gosport, getting this information out there and to young people will make the difference. A national awareness raising campaign has been kicked off, and this sensibly makes use of the social media channels many young people and young adults might use.

Just as a slight throwback to my youth, this ageing hippy is currently awaiting delivery of an all-black Afghan coat – I just hope it doesn’t smell as bad as my original 1970 one!