The wonders of smart phone technology are being harnessed in Lanarkshire to raise awareness of safer sex and provide access to free condoms.

A new app has been developed by Lanarkshire’s health and social care partnerships to support the ‘Free Condoms No Fuss’ C Card Scheme, which provides condoms to anyone living, working or studying in Lanarkshire.

Using a C Card can save embarrassment people may feel when asking for condoms. People can access free condoms, without filling in registration forms, by simply showing a paper C card at a C Card Centre.  There are 118 C Card centres –including GP surgeries, health centres and pharmacies – across Lanarkshire operating the scheme.

Janet Robison, project coordinator for condom distribution schemes in Lanarkshire, said that the new C Card app increases ease of access to this important service.

Janet said: “The app is a resource where you can access a variety of information about how the scheme works, a list of C Card centres within Lanarkshire and information about sexual health services, such as the clinics that are available and where to access emergency contraception.

“There is also a section within the app called ‘virtual C Card’. Members of the public can show their mobile phone screens to receptionists, in health centres and pharmacies operating the C Card scheme, instead of showing the paper C Card.”

C Card app is available to download from the App Store for free now. You can read more on Free Condoms No Fuss’ C Card Scheme here: http://www.lanarkshiresexualhealth.org/contraception/free-condoms/