Advertising is no substitute for treatment

1.03.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 13th Nov 2006

Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP

Responding to the Government's new sexual health campaign aimed at 18-24 year olds, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said: "This campaign does nothing to help those over 24, who have also seen a steep rise in sexually transmitted infections. It also follows a public information campaign which has had its funding cut by over half in the last three years.

"Sexual health clinics play a very important role in providing a service to the groups most at risk of infection, but they are being starved of funds. Money which should be used for prevention and treatment is being diverted to plug NHS deficits around the country.

"This is creating a false economy. Sexual diseases left unchecked will be transmitted to others, costing more to treat later."