Annual report, Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV.

  • Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV (Great Britain)
Date:
2006
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: Annual report, Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/24 page 19
    We recommend that innovative and cost effective service models are developed to reach and enable access to services and condom supplies to those who for social, geographical and cultural reasons will not or cannot access currently established services. For example, research clearly shows young men prefer internet access to information and services as opposed to attending clinics. Local pharmacies are as yet a largely untapped resource for local service provision. Health promotion plays a vital part in public health awareness, both in terms of messaging and signposting of services and user involvement. Much of the most effective health promotion is driven at a local level to meet local needs. The IAG is hearing reports that local health promotion services are under threat as budgets are cut. Awareness of sexual health and STIs will quickly disappear unless PCTs are pro-active in health promotion, reinforcing many of the gains made in the last few years. “~ be (hon age Recommendation JixX Sseseeesneeveeeaeeaeaeeeseeoe eos eae eases eeseeesscaeaeaseaeaeoeeseaeseae That the Government re-focus on preventing sexual ill-health. Sexual health promotion should be prioritised and SHAs asked to work with PCTs to develop regular promotional strands that are performance managed as part of Local Delivery Plan [LDP] arrangements. 2G ae 2 er en Ts In practice, focus should include: Prevention of the spread of HIV {and other STIs} Prevention of unwanted pregnancies Case Study ecccccccccccevcccccccccccccsccessssssesssccccscessecens Sexual Health Promotion in the Community: Terrence Higgins Trust Bristol Challenging stigma and ignorance around HIV are two of the main issues facing Terrence Higgins Trust in Bristol. Having enough resources to effectively communicate with people is a third. Terrence Higgins Trust Bristol's target group is disparate, connected only by risk of contracting HIV: gay and bi-sexual men, sex workers — specifically men who sell sex — and African communities. Their work is an example of the breadth, reach and effectiveness a local organisation can have with various communities. Part of the national gay men’s HIV prevention network known as CHAPS, Terrence Higgins Trust Bristol is funded by its local PCTs for regular work with the gay community including some local outreach and condom distribution at gay venues. “Our outreach for gay men is often focused on a specific issue. At the moment were promoting PEP (post exposure prophylaxis} which is difficult to get hold of. Signposting is an important function for us,’ says Simon Nelson, Senior Health Promotion Co-ordinator.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3