Agenda item

Considered – a presentation from Emma Davis, Public Health Consultant, Health and Adult Services, NYCC.

Emma gave a presentation covering the following points:

·       NYCC and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (YSTHFT) entered into a Section 75 on the 1st April 2022

·       A delegated budget from the Public Health Grant was to provide an open access, all age integrated sexual health service for the population of North Yorkshire

·       Initial period of 4 years with option to extend for a further 6 years subject to mutual agreement

·       The service delivers: sexual health promotion and information, contraceptive services (full range), sexually transmitted infections (testing and treatments), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), clinical and community outreach service, counselling services – HIV and sexual health and a training and learning programme

·       A review of service performance and data.

·       Key areas of development for 2022/2023.

There then followed a discussion which raised the following points :

Key elements of the service cover sex workers, migrants, homelessness and other vulnerable groups with certain areas of the county more in need of the service than others. It was concerning that Chlamydia cases in North Yorkshire were higher than the average in England.

Councillor Lee asked whether the service had been a success or whether any elements had not worked?

A friends and family survey is completed monthly with no concerns raised as yet. Walk in centre services would continue as these have been particularly successful. Counselling service is also popular and remote appointments working equally as well as face to face with both options being offered. There is an opportunity to refine work around sexual history and individual risk, in order to test the right people at the right time.

Councillor Moorhouse asked if we were engaging with the under 16 cohort?

There is a lot of educational work going on in schools and with the North Yorkshire Teenage pregnancy group in tandem with North Yorkshire youth and other organisations. There is a specific target group in Scarborough. Statutory sex education is now delivered and monitored.

Councillor Murday asked if contact tracing was still helping to control sexual health?

Partner notification is key, the service has a national surveillance system in place and the public health team supports this.

Councillor Maw referred to the queue and wait clinic currently being suspended in Scarborough and what the impact of this was?

It was confirmed that all existing patients did receive an appointment. Its recognised that not all young people like speaking face to face and prefer an online or text conversation and reiterated the importance of anonymity and confidentiality. It’s important to get the balance right and there is now a drop-in services at

·       Monkgate Health Centre,  Monkgate YO31 7PB. Every Thursday  at  4 pm until 7pm

·       Harewood Medical practice Northallerton (42 Richmond Rd, Catterick Garrison DL9 3JD) Every  Wednesdays at 4pm - 5pm 

·       The Mulberry Unit at Northway Scarborough YO12 7AF. Every Tuesdays 4pm- 6:30pm.

Resolved – The Chairman thanked Emma for her report and the Committee update.