HEALTH chiefs are set to debate the decision to allow pharmacists to hand out the morning-after-pill to girls as young as 13.

The move comes after a retired Worcester doctor criticised bosses for giving the plan the go-ahead without any public consultation.

"When was this discussed with county councillors, or the Community Health Council?" asked Dr Anthony Cole, a paediatrician at Worcester Royal Infirmary for 25 years.

"Will members of the public be allowed to have a say in this important matter?

"As I understand it, it has never been discussed in the council chamber - I think it's a topic of sufficient interest to warrant a debate."

But council officials defended the decision, stating that the medication, known as Levonelle 2, was completely safe and only a tiny minority of 13-year-olds were involved in sexual activity.

"If the pharmacist had any concerns that this person was being coerced into a sexual activity they can use the direct link they have, via a bleep system, to a medical consultant, who can give them help and guidance," said Sheena Stewart, teenage pregnancy co-ordinator for the local authority and health authority.

Judgements

"They are not having to make any serious clinical judgements.

"We are working a lot with young women and men who are vulnerable to having young sexual activity to try and prevent them from engaging in early sexual activity."

But Dr Cole listed a number of concerns he has with the scheme, which has been running for six months, including problems confirming proof of age and identity, and accessing health records.

"I'm concerned about the health of these children," he added.

"Will the pill be taken by the girl herself or given to another, perhaps with an established pregnancy, and what are the risks inherent in that?

"It has not been tested as fully as it needs to be in this age group," he added.

The item is on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting of Worcester and District Community Health Council meeting on Thursday, January 31.

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