Sexual Health Epidemic Looming?

On my way to work, as ever, I was reading a copy of Metro newspaper and the frontpage headline was "Safe sex campaign crippled by debts".

It’s sad to read that the NHS (National Health Service - in the UK) is struggling financially (unfortunately, it’s been this way for some time) and even sadder to read that such critical areas as sexual health are having their funding diverted (or even cut altogether).

According to Metro’s figures, 51 NHS Trusts had used their entire funding for Sexual Health for their general budget, 31 withheld some or most of the money for chlamydia screening (which is the most common STI [Sexually Transmitted Infection] in the UK and is still rising), 33 had withheld most or some of the funding and 40 had not used the funding for contraceptive services.

The areas affected by funding cuts are contraceptive availability and staffing levels, but sadly in some cases clinics have also had to be closed.

Fortunately, for people living in areas affected by lack of funding, it may still be possible to get the advice and help you need without waiting a few days for a doctor’s appointment…:

Although the FPA [Family Planning Association] does not run the Family Planning Clinics any longer, their website is an excellent resource and place to start if you are concerned about your sexual health (wherever it be the possibility of infection, a later period, or you believe you may be pregnant). You can find the FPA website at http://www.fpa.org.uk/, where you will also find details of their telephone helpline.