25/11/2004

£300m package set to 'transform' sex health services

Sexual health services in England are set to "modernise and transform" as part of a new £300 million programme that will roll out over three years, it has been announced today.

The extra funding will include a £50 million advertising campaign – the biggest in 20 years – to tackle the rise in sexually transmitted infections (STI's).

New figures published today from the Health Protection Agency have uncovered a "worrying rise" in STI's, including an 8% rise in chlamydia infections over the past year, according to the health department. Chlamydia represents a particular challenge as it has no symptoms in many cases but can lead to infertility in later life if it is not diagnosed and treated.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "Sexually transmitted infections have been rising steadily over the past few years. Rates have virtually trebled among men and women over the last 10 years. Prevention messages are not getting through. We need to act now on sexual health - and make it a priority."

Genito urinary medicine (GUM) clinics are set to be modernised with an injection of a further £130 million over 3 years, and upgrading prevention services such as contraceptive services - with another £40 million put toward this.

(gmcg/sp)

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