Mark Whitehead 01 October 2018

Council chiefs call for reversal of cuts to sexual health services

Maintaining sexual health services at current levels will be difficult unless cuts in public health services are reversed, local government leaders have warned.

Responding to a survey by the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said many local authorities were 'having to make difficult decisions on these key services'.

The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV and the British HIV Association said surveys of their members showed more than half reported decreases in the overall level of services in the past year.

They said overall rates of sexually transmitted infections remained stable in 2017 but cases of syphilis had increased by a fifth since the year before.

Cllr Hudspeth said: 'Despite budget reductions and increased demand for services, councils all over the country understand how important sexual and reproductive health services are in the health and wellbeing of their residents, but the reality is that many local authorities are having to make difficult decisions on these key services.

'Councils are having to carefully consider how best they can spend their public health funding, which has been reduced by £600m, to maximise cost effectiveness, improve people’s health through better access for service users and ensure prompt provision of contraception to reduce unplanned pregnancies.

'The importance of co-operation between services is absolutely critical for effective strategic planning, which is compounded by record demand for sexual health services.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner