Terrence Higgins Trust expresses alarm at avoidable increase in sexually transmitted infections

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 29 Jul 2004 - 11:00 PDT

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Rates of sexually transmitted infections in the UK are again rising, according to figures released today by the Health Protection Agency.

Commenting on the figures, Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said: "It's no surprise that the figures are continuing to rise, given the excessive waiting times at many sexual health clinics. The NHS has failed to prioritise sexual health and HIV, and these figures are an indictment of their inaction. The situation is shameful - we know how to tackle sexual ill-health, but a lack of national and local focus is stopping this from happening. More investment in new types of local services would quickly improve the nation's sexual health."

The charity is calling on the government to act now to tackle the UK's sexual health crisis, and wants to see the following actions:

-- A reduction in sexual health clinic waiting times to 48 hours

-- New, community based, easy access HIV and STI testing services

-- Greatly improved sex education for young people

-- New local targets to improve sexual health

Terence Higgins Trust

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