As with McKay and Gilbert1 in Cambridge, UK, we also developed an emergency contraception (EC) algorithm following the introduction of ulipristal acetate (UPA), likewise recognising that fitting an intrauterine device (IUD) was the ‘gold standard’. Our ongoing experience is rather different, however, in that our rates of emergency IUD fitting have increased since the introduction of our algorithm from 6% to at least 9%.

Within the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare in Aneurin Bevan Health Board (South Wales), 6% (17/270) of clients leaving the clinic with a method of EC in 2011 had an IUD fitted. Our service is different to the one in Cambridge in that our clients can usually have an IUD fitted on the day of presentation providing there is an IUD fitter in clinic. …