This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Report on sexual health strategy
21/11/2006
The findings of an annual report on the progress made by NHS Boards to implement the Executive's national sexual health strategy were published today.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said substantial improvements have been made to sexual health services across the country but further action is needed to help improve Scotland's sexual health.
The Minister also launched an educational DVD created by young parents in West Dunbartonshire which gives an insight into the challenges of young parenting and aims to help reduce unintended pregnancies.
The DVD will be distributed around secondary schools in West Dunbartonshire to generate discussions on young parenting.
Mr Kerr said:
"Sexual health in Scotland is historically poor, but we are committed to changing this through better education and improved access to services.
"Today's annual report clearly illustrates substantial progress has been made since the Strategy was launched 18 months ago but we cannot be complacent.
"We know sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased and while this can partly be down to more awareness and more testing, it shows we all need to take more responsibility for our own sexual health. Syphilis has re-emerged in Scotland in recent years and gonnorrhea, Chlamydia and HIV rates are now at record levels - this must be tackled.
"We're delivering quicker waiting times, improved communications with patients and better advice and support. Educational projects in settings such the community, schools, prisons, youth groups are aiming to change attitudes to sexual health in the long-term.
"However, when it comes to reducing STIs, unintended teenage pregnancies and abortion, education can only ever be part of the answer. We will continue to improve access to support and advice to help people make informed choices. But there also needs to be individual responsibility. Parents also have a role to play in encouraging their children to discuss relationships and sex openly with them."
Mr Kerr today met Sammy Bentley, one of the young parents who created the '9 Months After' DVD. She said:
"I was gutted when I found out I was pregnant, it meant that I couldn't go to college. But I'm trying to make the best of it. When we were at school we didn't learn anything about the reality of having a baby and I wanted to let other young people know what its like to be a young parent.
"Its been good going into the schools and showing the DVD, because you can see the young people are learning something and that they didn't realise what its really like to be a mum or a dad.
"You have to make the best of it and I'm still young. I want to do my teacher training, definitely. Sometimes I just want a bit of peace from Grant (her son) but I do love him."
The Executive has provided an additional £15 million over three years to support the delivery of the sexual health strategy and action plan which was published in January 2005.
Each NHS Board has appointed an Executive Director and Lead Clinician for sexual health and every local authority has a Strategic Lead in sexual health.