Free NHS morning after pill service in Treherbert
Treherbert Pharmacy provides confidential NHS emergency contraception for eligible people aged 13 or over who may need help after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
Emergency contraception is time-sensitive, so book as soon as possible. You can approach the pharmacy directly without a GP referral. The consultation and any treatment supplied through the NHS service are free, but medicine can only be provided after a clinical assessment confirms that it is suitable.
Book an NHS emergency contraception appointment
Need another appointment type? Use the general booking page.
Do not wait until the next morning
The “morning-after pill” does not have to be taken the following morning. Emergency contraception is generally more effective the sooner it is used after unprotected sex.
Two oral morning after pill options are used in the UK. One may be suitable within 72 hours and another may be suitable within 120 hours, depending on your individual circumstances.
A copper intrauterine device, sometimes called a copper coil, is the most effective form of emergency contraception. It is not fitted at the pharmacy, but we can explain where to seek urgent assessment.
Who can use the NHS contraception service (morning after pill Treherbert)?
The emergency contraception element is intended for eligible people aged 13 or over who could become pregnant and have had unprotected sex within the previous five days.
- You can self-refer. A GP referral is not required.
- NHS eligibility applies. You should normally live in Wales, be temporarily resident in Wales or be registered with a Welsh GP, and be entitled to NHS care.
- Clinical criteria apply. Timing, menstrual cycle, current contraception, medicines, health conditions and weight or BMI can affect which option is appropriate.
- People aged 13 to 15 can access the service. The consultation follows the usual competence, confidentiality and safeguarding requirements for younger patients.
What happens during the appointment?
-
Book and attend promptly
Book online as soon as possible. The person who needs emergency contraception must attend the consultation so that an appropriate clinical assessment can be completed.
-
Private clinical assessment
The pharmacy professional will ask about when unprotected sex occurred, your last period and usual cycle, current contraception, medical history, medicines and weight or BMI.
-
Treatment or urgent signposting
If an emergency contraceptive pill is clinically suitable, it can be supplied through the NHS service and is taken at the pharmacy. If a pill is unsuitable or unlikely to work, you will be directed to an appropriate NHS sexual health or medical service.
-
Aftercare and ongoing contraception
You will receive advice about what to do next, pregnancy testing, contraception for the rest of the cycle, safer sex and where to obtain ongoing contraception or STI support.
Emergency contraception options
The most appropriate option depends on the timing of unprotected sex, where you are in your cycle and other clinical factors. Treatment is not guaranteed until the assessment is complete.
Levonorgestrel
This emergency contraceptive pill needs to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Suitability depends on the full clinical assessment.
Ulipristal acetate
This emergency contraceptive pill can be used within 120 hours of unprotected sex in suitable patients. It can affect when some regular hormonal contraception is restarted.
Copper IUD
The copper intrauterine device is the most effective emergency contraception and can usually be fitted within 120 hours. It requires urgent assessment and fitting by a suitably trained clinician.
QuickStart and bridging contraception
The NHS contraception service can also provide temporary progestogen-only contraception for eligible people aged 13 to 54 while longer-term contraception is arranged.
- A blood pressure and BMI assessment is required.
- Where clinically suitable, a three-month supply of desogestrel may be provided through the NHS service.
- This is temporary cover rather than a replacement for arranging ongoing contraception with your GP or sexual health service.
Before your morning after pill appointment in Treherbert
You do not need to prepare a form, but having the following information ready can make the assessment quicker and safer.
- The date and approximate time of each episode of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure in the current cycle.
- The first day of your last period and your usual cycle length, if known.
- Details of regular contraception, missed pills, late injections or problems with condoms.
- The names of medicines and herbal products you take, including St John’s wort.
- Relevant health conditions, allergies and your current weight if known.
Confidentiality and younger patients
Consultations take place in a private room and are handled confidentially and without judgement. Emergency contraception consultation summaries are not automatically sent to your GP through the NHS Wales Choose Pharmacy system.
For patients under 16, confidentiality is respected in the same way as for adults when the young person can understand and consent to the care. Information may need to be shared only where there is a serious concern about safety, abuse or risk of harm. If QuickStart or bridging contraception is supplied, your GP is notified only with your consent.
After taking an emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill in Treherbert)
- Follow the personalised advice you receive about restarting or continuing regular contraception and using condoms.
- Headache, nausea or period-like cramps can occur. Contact the pharmacy promptly if you vomit soon after taking the tablet because another dose or a different option may be needed.
- Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections or unprotected sex later in the cycle.
- Complete any pregnancy test advised by the pharmacy professional and seek medical advice if your period is significantly late, unusually light or accompanied by concerning pain.
When another service may be needed
Contact the pharmacy even if more than five days have passed, you are unsure of the timing or you think a pill may not be suitable. We can help identify the safest next route, but do not delay seeking advice.
- Copper IUD assessment: a sexual health clinic or suitable GP service can assess and fit an emergency copper coil.
- Local sexual health support: the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Rhondda and Taff Ely booking and emergency line is 01443 443836.
- Urgent advice outside pharmacy availability: use NHS 111 Wales emergency contraception information or contact NHS 111 Wales.
Call 999 only for a life-threatening emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Is the morning after pill free in Treherbert?
Yes. The consultation and any medicine supplied under the NHS Wales contraception service are free when the service and clinical eligibility criteria are met.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with Treherbert Pharmacy.
Can someone collect the pill for me?
No. The person who needs emergency contraception must complete the confidential assessment and, if a pill is supplied, take it at the pharmacy.
Can Treherbert Pharmacy fit a copper coil?
No. The pharmacy can assess oral emergency contraception and direct you to a sexual health or medical service if urgent copper IUD assessment is more appropriate.
Will my GP be told?
An emergency contraception consultation is not automatically sent to your GP through Choose Pharmacy. If QuickStart or bridging contraception is supplied, your GP is contacted only with your consent.
Book emergency contraception in Treherbert
Arrange a confidential NHS assessment at Treherbert Pharmacy as soon as possible. Treatment will be supplied only when the clinical and service criteria are met.
Book an NHS emergency contraception appointment
Appointments are available for patients from Treherbert, Treorchy and the wider Rhondda area.
Places served
Treherbert Pharmacy provides this NHS service for eligible patients from Treherbert and nearby upper Rhondda communities.
- Treherbert
- Blaenrhondda
- Blaencwm
- Ynyswen
- Treorchy
- Cwmparc
- Penyrenglyn
- Ton Pentre
- Rhondda
- RCT
Related pharmacy services
These services provide useful alternative or wider NHS pharmacy routes, depending on the care you need.
- NHS independent prescribingA broader NHS assessment route for eligible acute symptoms that may need pharmacist prescribing.
- NHS Common Ailments ServiceFree assessment and treatment for a defined range of minor illnesses when NHS criteria are met.
- Treherbert Pharmacy NHS servicesView the wider range of NHS pharmacy services and appointment routes available locally.
Official patient information: NHS 111 Wales emergency contraception. Local sexual health information: Cwm Taf Morgannwg family planning and sexual health services.
Contact Treherbert Pharmacy
Page information
Written by: Jonathan James, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, GPhC number 2066318
Clinically reviewed by: Thomas Harries, Superintendent Pharmacist, GPhC number 2210031
Published: 01/11/2023
Last reviewed: 17/06/2026