Rotherham health: Unwanted pregnancy fears as TikTok influencers promote ‘natural family planning’
Rotherham Council is being urged to step up its use of social media and local influencers to counter contraception misinformation and improve access to sexual health services.
A new review into access to contraception, going before the council’s Health Select Commission on January 22, highlights the growing influence of platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram on attitudes to sexual health, particularly among younger people.
A report states that online trends and high-profile influencers are increasingly shaping views on contraception, including a move away from condoms and towards cycle-tracking “natural family planning” apps, which the report warns could contribute to rising levels of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Alongside concerns about online misinformation, the review also exposes practical barriers to accessing contraception locally. The work was launched after residents reported being unable to access contraceptive implants at their GP surgeries and being forced to travel outside Rotherham for their preferred method.
Information gathered from GP practices across the borough revealed significant variation in what is available, with pills and injections widely offered but long-acting reversible contraception such as coils and implants described as inconsistent and unevenly distributed.
The report found that copper coils were the most commonly available long-acting method among the 28 GP surgeries that responded, but even then only around half offered them. Access to both coils and implants together was more limited, leaving many residents without straightforward local access to long-acting contraception.
Organisations including Healthwatch Rotherham told the commission that these gaps had caused serious difficulties for some residents and, in some cases, had directly led to unwanted pregnancies.
The report also a concerns about the availability of condoms, noting that only a small proportion of GP surgeries said they provided them, despite condoms being vital for preventing sexually transmitted infections as well as pregnancy.
The report points out that Yorkshire MESMAC distributed tens of thousands of condoms during 2024–25, suggesting a reliance on external services rather than primary care. Members also highlighted what they described as an imbalance in support for men, with limited contraceptive options and some GP practices indicating patients were expected to self-refer for vasectomies.
To address the issues, the commission is recommending that the council explores options such as mobile or rotating sexual health clinics to reach rural and underserved areas, and ensures contraception and sexual health services are included in the planned town centre health hub, offering discreet drop-in access.
The report also called for clearer and more accessible online information, saying residents currently have to navigate several different websites to understand what services are available locally, and that some information is inaccurate or out of date.
Concerns about stigma also feature heavily in the report. Members discussed the relocation of sexual health services at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust to a more prominent position at the front of the hospital, questioning whether this could deter some people from attending. They also noted the challenges of discussing contraception at open GP reception desks and suggested surgeries consider improving privacy and appointing sexual health champions.
The review places particular emphasis on young people’s confidence in confidentiality. It recommends improving awareness of Fraser guidelines and NHS App privacy settings, which allow some sensitive information to be hidden, to reassure young people that they can seek advice without fear of their personal information being shared.
The report’s recommendations are due to be submitted to cabinet for consideration, with a formal response required within two months. Proposals that sit outside the council’s direct control will also be shared with health partners and commissioners for their consideration.