The Tinder effect? STI testing soars

A RECORD 3.3million people visited sexual health clinics last year amid fears that dating apps could be partly responsible for the rise in demand.

Experts say that because people often do not stay in touch with their online dates, doctors cannot trace them to ensure they receive treatment and do not infect other partners.

The Local Government Association revealed that last year, there were 3,323,000 visits to sexual health clinics in England, up 13 per cent from 2,941,000 in 2013. The increased number of visits is equivalent to an extra 210 a day. The total number of screenings for sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV, has risen by nearly a fifth during that time, from 1,513,000 in 2013 to 1,778,000.

Dr Olwen Williams, of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said: ‘What we are finding is it’s a little bit more difficult to get partners in because they can often be anonymous people who they met on Tinder and Grindr. It’s quite challenging, we are seeing a significant change in the way people meet, the fact that you can delete people as well.’

The LGA urged the Government to reverse £600million of health cuts to help councils meet the extra demand.

‘ With capacity and resources stretched to the limit, clinics are reporting an increase in the number of lengthy delays and people turned away as appointments are fully booked,’ said Ian Hudspeth of the LGA.