Teenage Pregnancy Topic Group Scrutiny Seminar

1. Teenage Pregnancy Topic Group Scrutiny Seminar Provision and access to sexual health services for young people Sue Beck 18 May 2006

2. Sexual Health • Sexual and reproductive health should be viewed as a • positive concept • Sexual health is an integral part of a fulfilling and healthy • life

3. What makes a good service? • Research with young people has identified the • features of a trusted and accessible service as: • age specific • confidential • non-judgmental staff • accessible locations and opening hours • a friendly atmosphere • publicity in places where young people meet.

4. Family Planning Services across Hertfordshire • 2 different management arrangements for clinical services across the county • West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust provide services • through the sexual health directorate • East and North Herts Services are hosted by South East • Herts Primary Care Trust

5. Location of Family Planning Clinics • East and North Hertfordshire • 12 sites • Bishops Stortford • Buntingford • Hatfield • Hertford • Hitchin • Hoddesdon • Letchworth • Royston • Stevenage • Waltham Cross • Ware • Welwyn Garden City • West Hertfordshire • 7 sites • Borehamwood • Garston • Hemel Hempstead • Potters Bar • St Albans • South Oxhey • Watford

6. Number of Sessions • West Hertfordshire • 18 sessions each week • 15 are open access, self • referral • 3 are appointment only • East &North Hertfordshire • 17 sessions each week • (plus one monthly) • All open access, self • referral

7. Opening Times • East & North Hertfordshire • each session 2 hours • primarily evening clinics • (Monday to Friday) • West Hertfordshire • each session 2 hours • primarily evenings • (Monday to Friday) • 2 Saturday clinics

8. Range of Services Offered • Pregnancy testing • Full range of contraceptive methods • Long term contraceptive methods • Sexual health advice and information • Termination of pregnancy referral • Free condoms • Free emergency hormonal contraception

9. Additional Condom Provision • Free condoms are also available in West Hertfordshire • through community clinics and some other venues • Free condoms available in East and North Hertfordshire • through the C Card condom scheme

10. Outreach Family Planning Services • East & North Hertfordshire • Service is involved in delivery of • Sex Education Programmes in • some local secondary schools • Service provides training to other • professional groups • West Hertfordshire • Service is involved in delivery • of Sex Education Programmes • in a high percentage of local • secondary schools • Service provides training to • other professional groups

11. Genito Urinary Medicine Services (GU) West Hertfordshire All GU sessions are open to young people Dedicated under 20s integrated Family Planning and GU session at Watford Sexual Health Centre. Similar one to open shortly in St. Albans GU Clinic System of joint working with the local Teenage Pregnancy Midwife in Watford East & North Hertfordshire All GU sessions are open to young people GU services provided at Hertford county hospital and Lister hospital

12. Sexual Health Services provided by Other Organisations Colleges provide daytime clinics for students during term time: Hertford Regional College: Ware Centre and Broxbourne centre Oaklands College: St Albans, Smallford and Welwyn Garden City campuses

13. Other Sexual Health Services • Face to Face, one evening clinic Stevenage • Some of the Youth Information Enquiry shops also • provide condoms and pregnancy testing available

14. General Practice • GPs provide • Information and advice • Contraception • Emergency Hormonal Contraception • Limited sexual health screening

15. Quality Services • Dedicated and experienced staff • Staff training available on a regular basis • Clear protocols e.g. on confidentiality, child protection