News: Ł47.5m for sexual health strategy

The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7159 p139-143
4 August 2001

£47.5m for sexual health strategy

The first national strategy for sexual health and HIV services in England was published last week by the Department of Health, and is backed by an investment of £47.5m. One of its aims is to reduce unintended pregnancy rates.

Pharmacists are identified in the strategy document as health care professionals who provide sexual health care services, specifically emergency hormonal contraception and pregnancy testing services. “Developments in community pharmacy will enable pharmacists to enhance and increase the range of basic elements of sexual health care they offer,” says the document.

The DoH says that the strategy aims to:

reduce the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections,
reduce the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV and STIs
reduce unintended pregnancy rates
improve health and social care for people living with HIV
reduce the stigma associated with HIV and STIs

To meet the aims of the strategy, the DoH is proposing a new national information campaign to promote safe sex and to prevent STIs, HIV and unintended pregnancies. It has set new targets for reducing the number of newly acquired HIV and gonorrhoea infections and proposes to introduce targeted screening for chlamydia. The DoH also plans to pilot new one-stop sexual health services and says that all sexual health services will be reviewed to ensure that comprehensive services are delivered in each primary care trust.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has welcomed the strategy. Marshall Davies, President of the Society, said: “Pharmacists can support the strategy by continuing to advise patients and act as a point of referral to sexual health clinics.”

Copies of the strategy are available on the DoH website and from the NHS Response Line on 08701 555 455.

At the launch of the strategy on 27 July, the Public Health Laboratory Service announced figures that show significant increases in the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia, especially among young people.