The second annual sexual health report was launched today by Public Health Minister Shona Robison, who also announced additional funding of £1m to increase access to independent sexual health information, particularly in rural areas.
The second annual report of ‘Respect and Responsibility – Scotland’s National Sexual Health Strategy’, details progress being made throughout Scotland and highlights examples of best practice in healthcare, education and inter-agency work with the voluntary sector.
Speaking as she visited the Borders Clinic in Galashiels, which was established as a result of additional funding allocated to NHS Boards when the strategy was first launched, Robison said:
"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 three years and in addition have allocated £1m pounds to increase access to independent sexual health information available in both urban and rural settings in Scotland.”
Robison went on to highlight the work being done to redesign and improve the range and accessibility of services in the Scottish Borders, where a new centre provides a mix of specialist and combined drop-in clinics offering contraceptive advice and STI testing. In addition, she said new drop-in services are being phased in across the Scottish Borders, and there are now over 50 sites providing postal testing kits for Chlamydia and 22 community pharmacies providing free emergency contraception.
Robison continued: "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 report will be available at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications
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