News / Sexual health clinic success
THE FAMILY planning and sexual health advice services, provided by NHS Shetland, has proved to be so successful it now has to be reviewed in a bid to make the best use of available time and funding.
Most of the services will continue to be available on a ‘walk in’ basis, with no appointment needed, and will be provided by nurses.
These include information and advice; free condoms; testing for sexual transmitted infections including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C; emergency contraception, cervical screening and hepatitis B vaccination for high risk groups.
However for some things, such as long acting reversible contraception (coils and implants), patients will need to make an appointment to see a doctor at the clinic.
A spokeswoman said: “But, as before, you do not need a referral from your own GP to come to the clinic.
“Anyone can self refer and the clinic is open to anyone who needs its services; men and women; young people and older people; people of any sexual orientation – heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender.”
The changes come as the health board marks national sexual health week, which started on Monday.
Organised by the Family Planning Association (fpa), the initiative this year focuses on helping parents talk to their children about “the facts of life”.
The fpa said that many parents still found it difficult to talk openly and honestly to their children about sex and relationships, and almost half say that they have never done so.
Consultant in public health with NHS Shetland, Dr Susan Laidlaw, said: “Many parents find it really embarrassing to talk with their children about sex and relationships, and worry about how much to tell them and at what age.
“By talking with our children, we can help them understand about puberty and about relationships, and also how to look after their sexual health in the future.
“For advice on talking with children and answering tricky questions, I recommend the fpa website, which has lots of useful information for parents and also the Health Scotland booklets called ‘Talking to your child about relationships and sexual health’ , available from Health Centres and the Health Improvement Department.”
More info can be found at the websites of the Scottish Sexual Health website (aimed at age 16+) at www.sexualhealthscotland.co.uk and the Family Planning Association at www.fpa.org.uk
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