UK information service relaunched.

Abstract

The nationwide public and professional information service operated by the FPA (Family Planning Association) in association with the UK health promotion agencies since 1977 is relaunched this year under the new name of the Contraceptive Education Service (CES). The service is offered in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with some variations to meet specific local needs, but containing the same key elements. These are: 1) a nationwide telephone, postal and personal enquiry service on contraception, for both the public and professionals including details about local family planning clinics. This service is available Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, from the FPA national helpline 071-636-7866. A local service is also available from FPA Scotland, FPA Wales, and FPA N. Ireland; 2) public education leaflets on contraception and family planning, of which over 4 million are distributed a year via health promotion units throughout the UK; 3) professional information provided through factsheets on 21 key topics in family planning, contraception and sexual health and through Family Planning Today; 4) press and media publicity which helps to publicize the CES services and to spread information about contraception and family planning issues through articles and coverage on radio and television.