Issue - meetings

The committee will consider the final Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Strategy ahead of Cabinet’s decision, currently planned for April 2018.

Vicki Lofts– Wiltshire Council presented the report which sought to seek support for the final Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Strategy ahead of going to Cabinet in April 2018.

Points made included:

·       That tackling sexual and reproductive health inequality had been a priority both nationally and locally for many years. Improving sexual health and wellbeing presents a significant challenge for public health and the wider health and social care system, as well as for the individuals who experience poor health outcomes as a result of a sexually transmitted infection (STIs), blood borne viruses (BBVs) or an unplanned pregnancy.

·       There was considerable inequality in the distribution of STIs, BBVs and unplanned pregnancies across the population. The 2013 Framework for Sexual Health Improvement placed health promotion and education as the cornerstones of infection and pregnancy prevention by improving awareness of risk and encouraging safer sexual behaviour.

·       Prevention efforts needed to include universal and targeted open access to sexual health and contraceptive services with a focus on groups at highest risk of sexual health inequality such as young people, black ethnic minorities and men who have sex with men.

Resolved

1.    To support endorsement of the proposed Strategy by Cabinet, but also recommend that the strategy includes how the outcomes will be achieved (following the SMART model).

2.    To receive an update around March 2019 on the implementation of the strategy, especially progress achieved on the Strategic Aims (Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment) and the measuring of their stated outcomes.

The Chairman thanked Vicki Lofts for presenting her report.