PETERBOROUGH has been chosen to pilot a controversial scheme to hand out free morning-after pills to city women.
The pills, which usually cost £26 each, will be available at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinic in the Broadway Centre throughout December.
It is hoped the scheme will cut the number of unwanted pregnancies over Christmas, althou
gh some critics have labelled the move irresponsible.
Laura Rutherford, nurse and manager at the clinic, said: "We're trying to help women who I think get a raw deal sometimes.
"Women run around throughout the whole of December, sorting out kids' parties and buying presents, and they might forget about their contraceptive jab or to take their pill. We want to say, 'we know you're really busy so let's do this for you'."
She added: "Women aren't going to go out and have a lot of sex just because they know they have the pill at home in the cupboard."
Peterborough is one of just 10 cities in the UK which is offering the pill for free. Others include Bournemouth, Brighton, Coventry and Luton.
The cities have been chosen because they are also home to BPAS clinics.
With GP surgeries, family planning clinics and pharmacies being closed over Christmas, healthcare organisation BPAS believes the move is essential to ensure the pill is available to those who need it.
The morning-after pill, which is effective if taken within 72 hours after sex, can be prescribed or bought over the counter.
NHS Peterborough is supporting the campaign.
A NHS Peterborough spokesperson said: "It is important the full range of contraception is available to women wanting to use birth control.
"NHS Peterborough also offers free emergency hormonal contraception to young people under 25 at some pharmacies across the city and through the Rivergate Walk-in Centre all year round.
"This is part of a wider teenage pregnancy prevention package which includes sex and relationship education, professional support and advice, and a wide range of free contraception that enables them to be protected not only against unwanted pregnancy but also against sexually transmitted diseases."
Residents we spoke to had mixed views on the matter.
Caron Nicholls (46), of Gostwick, Orton Brimbles, said: "I don't agree with it, but at the end of the day, if women are going to have sex then they are.
"There are people out there who cannot afford cancer drugs, yet women are being handed the morning-after pill free? There needs to be some perspective. I don't think it's right.
Andrew Nicholls (47), of Gostwick, Orton Brimbles, said: "It's up to each woman to be responsible.
The full article contains 442 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
