Excellence in Healthcare Collaboration and Partnerships

Summary of work

The Advisory Group on Contraception (AGC) was founded in 2010 to campaign to ensure that the contraceptive needs of all women in England are met throughout their lives. Since  April 2013, the commissioning of contraceptive care and services has been fragmented between local government public health teams and clinical commissioning groups. Two years later, the Spending Review outlined cuts to public health amounting to average annual real term cuts of 3.9%, on top of a 6.2% in-year cut announced in the Budget. These issues rocked the foundations on which contraceptive services were built, raising concerns amongst AGC members about how it would impact on women’s access to vital contraceptive services.

The AGC is a unique forum that brings together clinicians, commissioners, advocacy groups and industry with an interest in women’s contraceptive health. Members felt strongly that the ACG was well-placed to help an increasingly frustrated community speak with one voice. By building a robust, new evidence base and maintaining strong working relationships within and beyond the group, the AGC has successfully campaigned for policy change that aims ensure women can access the right contraception for them, in the right setting.

Judges' comments

This is a strong campaign with a clear partnership that delivered positive outcomes through an insight led step by step approach.