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Wednesday 16 Jan 2008 @ 14:25
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Tackling sexual health
The second Annual Report of Respect and Responsibility - Scotland's National Sexual Health Strategy was launched today at The Borders Clinic in Galashiels.
The Borders Clinic, which provides a mix of specialist and combined sexual health drop-in clinics was established as a direct result of additional funding NHS Boards received when the Strategy was first launched.
The Minister also announced a £1 million pound cash boost which will be allocated to increase access to independent sexual health information particularly in rural areas.
Ms Robison said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit this new clinic to launch the second annual progress report of Respect and Responsibility, our national sexual health strategy.
"The report details the progress being made throughout Scotland and contains many examples of excellent work both in the healthcare setting, education and in inter-agency work with the voluntary sector.
"The Scottish Government has made plain its commitment to improving public health and tackling health inequalities. Better sexual health and wellbeing for all is part of our overall health improvement agenda.
"With this in mind I am pleased to announce that we have continued the additional funding NHS Boards receive for the next 3 years and in addition have allocated £1 million pounds to increase access to independent sexual health information available in both urban and rural settings in Scotland.
"We are currently considering the best method of achieving this."
Sexual health services in clinics in the Scottish Borders have been redesigned to improve the range and accessibility of services. In February 2007, as a result of government funding, the Scottish Borders Sexual Health Service, integrating GUM and family planning, moved to new premises.
The new centre provides a mix of specialist and combined drop-in clinics offering contraceptive advice and STI testing services. New drop-in services are being phased in across the Scottish Borders and include sites at Hawick, Eyemouth, Galashiels and Duns providing family planning, STI diagnosis and treatment and making services more accessible for people.
There are now over 50 sites providing postal testing kits for Chlamydia and 22 community pharmacies providing free emergency contraception increasing the range of services available in medical and non medical settings. The service also provides sexual health education.
Ms Robison commented: "This range of services is being replicated across Scotland and men and women have access to contraception and sexual health advice from trained health professionals in an ever-increasing number of settings as far ranging as youth clubs to pharmacies. I have no doubt that that is due to the work that has gone into implementing Respect and Responsibility in a way that suits local circumstances and client need.
"Although Respect and Responsibility highlights a good deal of positive developments it also acknowledges that much still needs to be done to address the rising rate of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy.
"But I believe that our strategy will ensure that we have the right approach to providing good access to effective sex and relationships education and ensuring that health services are available whether you live in a city or rural area.
"The additional funding is also further proof of our commitment to ensuring that services like The Borders Clinic can continue to provide vital services."
The Strategic Spending Review 2007 announced the continued funding of the sexual health strategy at £5.180 million plus an additional £1 million over two years to support measures to improve access to independent sexual health information and advice services.
Related Information
The Borders Clinic, which provides a mix of specialist and combined sexual health drop-in clinics was established as a direct result of additional funding NHS Boards received when the Strategy was first launched.
The Minister also announced a £1 million pound cash boost which will be allocated to increase access to independent sexual health information particularly in rural areas.
Ms Robison said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit this new clinic to launch the second annual progress report of Respect and Responsibility, our national sexual health strategy.
"The report details the progress being made throughout Scotland and contains many examples of excellent work both in the healthcare setting, education and in inter-agency work with the voluntary sector.
"The Scottish Government has made plain its commitment to improving public health and tackling health inequalities. Better sexual health and wellbeing for all is part of our overall health improvement agenda.
"With this in mind I am pleased to announce that we have continued the additional funding NHS Boards receive for the next 3 years and in addition have allocated £1 million pounds to increase access to independent sexual health information available in both urban and rural settings in Scotland.
"We are currently considering the best method of achieving this."
Sexual health services in clinics in the Scottish Borders have been redesigned to improve the range and accessibility of services. In February 2007, as a result of government funding, the Scottish Borders Sexual Health Service, integrating GUM and family planning, moved to new premises.
The new centre provides a mix of specialist and combined drop-in clinics offering contraceptive advice and STI testing services. New drop-in services are being phased in across the Scottish Borders and include sites at Hawick, Eyemouth, Galashiels and Duns providing family planning, STI diagnosis and treatment and making services more accessible for people.
There are now over 50 sites providing postal testing kits for Chlamydia and 22 community pharmacies providing free emergency contraception increasing the range of services available in medical and non medical settings. The service also provides sexual health education.
Ms Robison commented: "This range of services is being replicated across Scotland and men and women have access to contraception and sexual health advice from trained health professionals in an ever-increasing number of settings as far ranging as youth clubs to pharmacies. I have no doubt that that is due to the work that has gone into implementing Respect and Responsibility in a way that suits local circumstances and client need.
"Although Respect and Responsibility highlights a good deal of positive developments it also acknowledges that much still needs to be done to address the rising rate of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy.
"But I believe that our strategy will ensure that we have the right approach to providing good access to effective sex and relationships education and ensuring that health services are available whether you live in a city or rural area.
"The additional funding is also further proof of our commitment to ensuring that services like The Borders Clinic can continue to provide vital services."
The Strategic Spending Review 2007 announced the continued funding of the sexual health strategy at £5.180 million plus an additional £1 million over two years to support measures to improve access to independent sexual health information and advice services.
Related Information
