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One of the very first questions you’re asked by your midwife, health visitor, and GP after having a baby is: ‘What method of contraception are you using/planning to use?’

Three months after giving birth to my second child, I have found myself in the position of having to contact the local MSP and continually press for access to what should be a basic healthcare right—the right to contraception. I am committed to advocating not only for my own rights, but for the needs of my community, who are facing the very same barriers.

Many patients at Church Street Surgery, myself included, are experiencing significant obstacles when trying to access contraceptive care. This service (coil/implant) is not offered within the practice and has historically been redirected to another local GP surgery. That option is now unavailable due to backlogs and high demand, with no indication from the surgery of when it will reopen to non‑registered patients.

I have been advised to contact Sandyford Sexual Health Clinic and Tarbert Medical Practice. Sandyford does not accept patients from Cowal, and Tarbert’s books are closed for the foreseeable to non‑registered individuals due to sickness. Despite following every route I have been signposted to, I am getting absolutely no further forward and  it has left me with no option but to seek support from the wider community. 

Access to contraception is essential—not only for family planning, but for managing health conditions, preventing unintended pregnancies, and enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. Limited access increases the risk of unplanned pregnancies, placing additional strain on both social and healthcare services. According to the World Health Organization, comprehensive contraceptive services are a key factor in reducing health inequalities, poverty, and poor health outcomes.

We are calling on local health authorities to take IMMEDIATE action to ensure that every patient in Cowal can access contraception in a timely and equitable way, regardless of which GP surgery they are registered with. This may require funding to train additional healthcare professionals or even the re‑introduction of a Sexual Health Clinic within Cowal Community Hospital.

This petition is not only about the availability of contraceptives—it is about affirming our right to comprehensive healthcare and ensuring that individuals, including new mothers, are supported in responsibly managing their reproductive health.

Please sign this petition to urge local health authorities to immediately prioritise reproductive healthcare services in the Cowal area. Together, we can ensure that no one’s healthcare needs are overlooked.