Sexual health bodies call on local politicians to invest in sexual and reproductive health including HIV prevention and care

Published: 9 May 2014

In advance of the local elections taking place in England on 22 May, the UK’s leading sexual health charities and professional bodies have highlighted the need for all local politicians to prioritise investment in sexual and reproductive health including HIV prevention and care.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the British HIV Association, Brook, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, FPA, MEDFASH, the National AIDS Trust, the National HIV Nurses Association, the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum and Terrence Higgins Trust said:

“Sexual and reproductive health and HIV is an important issue for the whole electorate. In February 2013, the Department of Health published a Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England which set out a series of ambitions that, if achieved, would ensure everyone has the information, support and services they need to lead healthy lives.

“We call on all those standing for election to provide leadership to achieve these ambitions and to commit to support investment in sexual and reproductive health, including access to all forms of contraception, HIV prevention and testing, and support services.”

Ends

The Department of Health’s Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England can be read here.

The ambitions listed in the Framework are:

• Build knowledge and resilience among young people up to age 16
• Improve sexual health outcomes for young adults aged 16-24
• All adults have access to high quality services and information
• People remain healthy as they age
• Prioritise prevention
• Reduce rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people of all ages
• Reduce onward transmission of and avoidable deaths from HIV
• Reduce unwanted pregnancies among all women of fertile age
• All women requesting an abortion should be offered the opportunity to discuss their options and choices with a trained counsellor
• Continue to reduce the rate of under-16 and under-18 conceptions

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) is a leading professional representative body for those managing STIs and HIV in the UK. It seeks to innovate and deliver excellent tailored education and training to healthcare professionals, trainers and trainees in the UK and to determine, monitor and maintain standards of governance in the provision of sexual health and HIV care. www.bashh.org Registered charity number: 1148196

British HIV Association (BHIVA)

BHIVA represents professionals in HIV care and is committed to providing excellence in the care of those living with and affected by HIV www.bhiva.org

Brook

Brook is the UK’s leading provider of sexual health services and advice for young people under 25. legacy.brook.org.uk Registered charity number: 703015

Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)

The FSRH is a Faculty of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and an independent charity of over 14,000 doctors and nurses working in sexual and reproductive health. The Faculty sets standards, publishes clinical guidance and awards qualifications in sexual and reproductive health care. www.fsrh.org

FPA

The sexual health charity FPA gives information, advice and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone across the UK. www.fpa.org.uk. Registered charity number: 250187

MEDFASH (Medical Foundation for HIV and Sexual Health)

MEDFASH is a charity dedicated to quality in HIV and sexual healthcare. It works to support and guide health professionals and policy makers. www.medfash.org.uk Registered charity number: 1148836

National AIDS Trust (NAT)

NAT is the UK's leading charity dedicated to transforming society's response to HIV. www.nat.org.uk Registered charity number: 297977

National HIV Nurses Association (NHIVNA)

NHIVNA is a UK professional association representing nurses in HIV care. www.nhivna.org

Primary Care Women’s Health Forum (PCWHF)

The PCWHF is a clinical forum specifically developed for the primary care team covering women's health. www.pcwhf.co.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT)

THT is a national charity dedicated to ensuring a long-term response to the HIV and sexual health needs. www.tht.org.uk Registered charity number: 288527

For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
 
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