Cash direct: Increasing patient choice and access to LARC

Published Date: 19th July 2016

Publication Authors: Marshall J, Taylor A

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Background/introduction 

Busy lifestyles and women’s continued need and desire for reliable methods of contraception, has led to the development of ‘CaSH Direct’ which offers LARC assessments and procedures at times that are convenient to women but without the need for multiple visits to.

Aim(s)/objectives 

CaSH Direct aims to:

• Increase women’s access to LARC
• Reduce demand on clinics
• Increase women’s choices of times and location of procedure
• Reduce the time women spend in clinic
• Make more efficient use of staff time

Methods 

Women attending clinic and requesting a LARC are offered a telephone consultation at a time that is convenient to them (day or evening) meaning women do not need to take time away from work or family to access the service avoiding the need to wait in clinic to be assessed. Clients are then contacted by a sexual health practitioner who completes an assessment over the phone allowing the woman to take the call in an environment that is familiar to her and without the cost or time implication of attending clinic. A suitable appointment time is made at the end of the assessment for the client to attend an agreed clinic for the procedure to be carried out.

Results  

Client feedback has proved to be favourable for the service with 70% rating the service as excellent, pressure in walk-in clinics has been eased and appointment times are being utilised more effectively.

Discussion/conclusion  

CaSH Direct has made a positive impact on service provision and client choice through innovative and effective use of skills within the service.

Marshall, J; Taylor, A. (2016). P138 Cash direct: increasing patient choice and access to larc​ . Sexually Transmitted Infections. 91 (Suppl 1), A61

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