One stop shop to tackle sex infections
KEY SERVICES IN NORTH WEST LONDON UNITE TO TREAT STIS
MORE than 12,000 sexually transmitted infections were treated by NHS medical staff in the West London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and Hillingdon last year.
It’s also estimated that one in four STIs in the UK began their life in London before spreading to other parts of the country and the most common STIs you can catch in London are chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis.
Fortunately help is at hand. North West London Contraception and Sexual Health Service has now taken control of sexual health services in the boroughs with a new campaign to ‘respect and protect’ themselves and others.
The service, which is branded ‘One’ reflecting its new unified approach to contraception and sexual health, is planning to move hospital services out into the community as well as bringing key services together under one roof.
Lead sexual health consultant Gary Brook, said: “It makes sense to offer a ‘one stop’ service for people which is convenient and discreet.
“We’re asking people to use condoms to protect themselves and respect others. It’s the most effective way of safeguarding against STIs.”
The service is also investing in using a lot more postal test kits and is helping sexual health partners Brook and the Terrence Higgins Trust spread the word.
Gary added: “The most important thing to remember is that STIs are all treatable so the sooner you seek treatment, the quicker we can put things right.”
To find out how to get advice and treatment, go to: www.nwlondonsexualhealth.nhs.uk