Still time to take part in sexual health survey

LEICESTERSHIRE County Council and Rutland County Council are reminding people to take part in the sexual health services consultation before it closes on Sunday.

The consultation seeks people’s views on what sexual health services should offer and how they might work. Services are being recommissioned across the region to ensure they are meeting residents’ needs – as the current contract ends in March 2024.

Both councils are particularly keen to hear from those who have used or tried to access sexual health services before, staff who provide these services and partner organisations.

Proposals would see Leicestershire and Rutland continuing to work together to deliver services from April 2024 because of the similar geographical make-up and needs of their populations. Leicester City Council will continue to offer their own sexual health services.

The proposals also outline the intention to keep services specifically for young people and improve access to chlamydia screening services, contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy testing kits.

Councillor Louise Richardson, chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board at Leicestershire County Council said: “Sexual health services are a key aspect of public health, so we’re keen to hear your views on the services we offer. This will help us to ensure these services are efficient and accessible to residents. Due to the nature of Leicestershire and Rutland’s needs, it makes sense for us to continue to join up our approach when recommissioning sexual health services.”

Between April and October 2022 the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS) supported over 26,000 people, particularly within the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups.

Fill out the consultation before midnight on Sunday, March 12 at https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/haveyour