Sexual health services need higher priority

11.01.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Jul 2007

Lib Dem MPs protest about NHS cutbacks outside Parliament

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) today announced a big rise in the number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), particularly amongst the young. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "The continued rise in STIs is a direct result of the Government's failure to make sexual health services a priority. Sexual diseases left unchecked will be transmitted to others, costing more to treat later.

"Sexual health clinics are being starved of resources at a time when they are in most demand, and public information campaigns have had their funding cut by more than 50% in recent years.

"There must be full access to testing for STIs in confidential sexual health clinics, as well as advice about contraception from professionals who can help young people.

"Sex and relationships education should be made a compulsory part of the National Curriculum."

DELGA Chair Jen Yockney commented, "We need an increase in investment in STI clinics, not a decrease. These cutbacks directly affect LGB people - and especially trans people - who may have greater issues in accessing sexual health services appropriate to their needs."