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Before you book an appointment to have a device fitted, please follow the steps below
1. Please use the links below to read the information on the NHS website.
This will give you the information to help you decide if this is the right method for you. If you would like to discuss your options further please call the surgery to talk to a clinician.
IUS (intrauterine system) or hormonal coil
IUD (intrauterine device) or copper coil
Getting an IUS (intrauterine system) or hormonal coil fitted or removed
2. How to make sure you are not at risk of being pregnant at the time of your fitting
The IUD and IUS can usually be fitted at any time in your cycle, unless you could be pregnant. If there is a risk that you might be pregnant then we may have to reschedule your fitting.
If you are currently using a hormonal method (pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection and non-expired implant) or condoms please continue to use your current method correctly until your fitting.
If you are currently using the diaphragm or natural methods of contraception or have an expired implant or expired IUD/IUS device then you have two options:
- Do not have unprotected sex from day 1 of your last period, until your appointment (or avoid sex for three weeks if your periods are irregular)
- Arrange to use a short-acting form of contraception, for example, pill, patch, vaginal ring, for at least four weeks before the fitting.
If you are already using a coil as contraception: Both the IUD and IUS can usually be exchanged at any time in your cycle, unless you could be pregnant. If there is a risk that you might be pregnant then we may have to reschedule your fitting.
If your current IUD/IUS device has not yet expired then you must avoid sex or use condoms in the 7 days before your appointment or you may be at risk of pregnancy.
If your current IUD/IUS device has expired then you have two options:
- Do not have unprotected sex from day 1 of your last period, until your appointment (or avoid sex for three weeks if your periods are irregular)
- Arrange to use an additional short-acting form of contraception, for example, pill, patch, vaginal ring, for at least four weeks before your coil is exchanged.
3. Preparation checklist
Our self-assessment checklist will help you to decide if you are ready to have a coil fitting. You will need to print a copy of our self-assessment checklist and bring a completed copy to your fitting appointment.
Click here to download the self-assessment checklist:
Intrauterine contraception self-assessment checklist (word doc)
Intrauterine contraception self-assessment checklist (PDF)
4. On the day of your appointment:
- Where possible we will fit your device at your appointment. However, there may be reasons why the fitting may need to be deferred. If this happens then the doctor or nurse who is seeing you will explain why.
- Please allow at least one hour for the appointment. Although the procedure does not take this long, some people need a little more time to recover after the procedure.
- We recommend that you eat and take pain relief an hour before your appointment.
- Currently due to COVID-19 restrictions we ask that you attend your appointment alone, wear a mask and postpone if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms.
- Please bring sanitary protection, as you may experience some bleeding after the fitting.
- We advise that you may not feel well enough to drive immediately after your fitting.
- Please have someone available to call in case you feel unwell post fit.
5. Booking your appointment
If you decide that this is the right method for you and you would like to book an appointment please ring the surgery.
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Millions of outpatient appointments and treatments have been delayed in NHS hospitals during the pandemic. When patients contact the hospital, they are sometimes told to ask their GP for an ‘expedite letter’. This is frustrating for you and for us, and we cannot guarantee that this will result in your appointment being brought forward.
Only the hospital can compare your needs with those of other patients on their waiting list and they will action your request accordingly.
If you want to inform a hospital of a change in your symptoms, you may use the templates below when contacting the hospital. One is for patients waiting for a first appointment with a specialist, the second is for patients waiting for a follow-up appointment, treatment, or operation. You should post your letter to either Outpatient Appointments (for first appointments) or your consultant’s secretary (for follow-up care).
Letter for a first appointment with a specialist:
Letter for a for a follow-up appointment:
Contact Information:
In the event of a change in a potentially life-threatening health condition – for example, a known cancer, or heart or lung symptoms – please contact Crossley Street Surgery, 999 or 111 in the first instance.
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Please note that the following information can also be found on GOV.UK (Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad)
You can access your covid-19 vaccination status through the free NHS App from the 17th May. You can access the app through mobile devices such as a smartphone or by tablet. Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status will be shown within the NHS App. It is recommended that you register with this App before booking international travel.
If you do not have access to a smartphone and know that the country you are travelling to requires COVID-19 vaccination status, you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (From the 17th May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine (received both vaccines). It is expected the letter will take up to 5 days to reach the individual.
Do not contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Click here for more information on the NHS App
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We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
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We are aware that there is a lot of misinformation in the media at the moment surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations and potential scams. Unfortunately, there are people out there who try to take advantage of the current situation and may attempt to wrongly obtain personal information or even money from you. But when we do contact you to book your COVID-19 Vaccination, it's important that you feel confident that this invitation has come from the practice. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
We are currently inviting patients to have their vaccination via telephone calls and text messages
This is because our clinics are being arranged at short notice and we don't have the necessary time to send out letters. The text messages we are sending to patients include a link which will ask you to confirm your date of birth and allow you to book your appointment on you phone. If you are concerned about any text messages with links, below is an example of what will be included in the text message from us:
You have been invited to book your COVID-19 vaccinations.
Please note when you click the link below, the only information it will ask for is your date of birth.
If you have had a letter from NHS England and have already booked an appointment at a vaccination centre, please follow the instructions in the link to let us know you'll be having your vaccination elsewhere.
You may also receive an invitation by letter
NHS England are also sending out letters to eligible patients, inviting them to have their vaccination at one of the larger vaccination centres. If you are able to travel to one of these locations, you can contact the number on the letter and book this. If not, you can still wait to be contacted by us.
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