Thursday 18 September 2014
The Health and Social Services Department has launched a public consultation on the draft Sexual Health Strategy for 2015-2020. The Strategy proposals and draft to date has been developed by a multi-disciplinary, island-wide Sexual Health Forum, following a local Sexual Health Needs Assessment in 2013.
The draft Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 is based on strong local evidence about the islands' sexual health needs, following a local Sexual Health Needs Assessment conducted in 2013. Its recommendations cover a broad range of issues, and have a common focus on protecting vulnerable groups.
Dr Nikki Brink, Chair of the Sexual Health Forum and Assistant Director in Medical Public Health said:
"The nine recommendations included in the draft Sexual Health Strategy focus on the fundamental principle that all people living within our community have the right to good sexual health. The Strategy takes in the view that education, health promotion and prevention as just as important as the availability of clinics and treatment for good sexual health."
The consultation document is available on the home page of gov.gg in the consultation and reports section and an online version for completion can also be found there. All responses should be provided to us no later than 15 November 2014. After the public consultation is concluded later this year, the HSSD Board will be provided with the feedback so that any changes required to the draft Strategy can be agreed. The Department will then work up a plan for putting the recommendations of the Strategy into action, and will bring the finalised Strategy to the States for debate during 2015 in order to propose a way forward for the delivery of local sexual health services.
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Further Information
The provision of a full range of contraceptive choices, free at the point of access, for women under the age of 21 years. This recommendation is aimed at reducing the number of unintended teenage pregnancies in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and also to help reduce the sexual health inequalities by enabling vulnerable groups to access free long acting reversible contraception (coils and implants).
Local trends in sexually transmitted infections have been considered and the introduction of a Chlamydia Screening Programme is recommended to reduce the burden of long term health problems associated with undiagnosed chlamydial infections such as include pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal pregnancies and infertility.
In addition, people living with HIV should be able to live longer and healthier lives with the continued provision of effective HIV services. Testing for HIV should be increased to prevent transmission and reduce late diagnosis and measures should be in place to tackle the stigma and discrimination of living with HIV.
Contact Information
Survey responses:
Ms Marianne Duquemin
Sexual health Coordinator
The Orchard Clinic
Castel Hospital
La Neuve Rue
Guernsey
E-mail: mduquemin@hssd.gov.gg
