Acting responsibly for sexual health

I have received the following appeal for support and statement on sexual health today, which I have enthusiastically endorsed as Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Vauxhall.

It is an issue which is very important for me and I was Vice Chair of the Positive Place in Deptford for 3 years, one of London's major support centres for people living with HIV (which unfortunately closed down a few months ago due to funding problems) as well as being an active member of the Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark HIV Support Group for a number of years. Recently I had the experience as part of my work with a disability organisation  of visiting several young men living with HIV who were severely ill because they had received a late diagnosis or had not acted on that diagnosis.

I intend to speak about this on Friday at the Green Party's launch of its LGBT Manifesto at 6:30-8:30PM on Friday 26th Feb at the Brighton Tavern, 100 Gloucester Road Brighton BN1 4AP. http://maps..google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=brighton%20tavern&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl (marked 'A')


There is also an event on facebook- http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=442243375315




We are writing to you because the UK faces a major challenge with poor sexual health. Despite progress in recent years, the UK still has high levels of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and new HIV infections, as well as high levels of unwanted pregnancy and teenage conceptions. Without sustained action and investment, this situation will worsen. That’s why we’d like you to think about how you can play a part in improving the sexual health of your community. Below is a brief policy statement, agreed by the eight leading voluntary sector and professional associations in the sexual health field.



BASHH, BHIVA, Brook, FSRH, FPA, MedFASH, NAT, THT


ACTING RESPONSIBLY FOR SEXUAL HEALTH

The UK faces a major challenge with poor sexual health. Despite progress in recent years, the UK still has high levels of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and new HIV infections, as well as high levels of unwanted pregnancy and teenage conceptions. Without sustained action and investment, this situation will worsen. It makes good economic sense to invest in sexual health and HIV services. Every pound spent on contraception prevents more money being spent on abortion services and maternity services; money spent on preventing and promptly treating STIs prevents onward transmissions as well as preventing more serious health conditions developing. Every pound spent preventing HIV infection saves thousands of pounds later in treatment costs. Good sexual health is important for everyone in the UK and is a major part of general health and wellbeing. To achieve this requires a reduction in unwanted pregnancies, reduced levels of STI & HIV transmission, timely diagnosis and treatment of STIs and HIV, and the promotion of positive and responsible relationships. Because of this, the leading sexual health & HIV organisations in the UK call on all Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Candidates to commit to this vision by supporting the following:

• ensuring 48 hour access and confidential open access to all sexual health services

• preventing poor sexual health by ensuring high quality local and national sexual health promotion programmes

• ensuring all children and young people get high quality sex and relationships education at school by making this a statutory curriculum subject

• ensuring all women have information about and access to the full range of contraception methods, including long acting contraception

• increasing access to HIV testing especially for those who need it most ensuring that all women across the UK, including Northern Ireland, have access to NHS funded abortions

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) is a professional association for UK clinicians that aims to promote, encourage and improve the study and practice of the art and science of diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted diseases including all sexually transmitted infections, HIV and other sexual health problems.


The British HIV Association (BHIVA) supports clinicians who specialise in HIV, acts as an advisory body to those working in the field of HIV and promotes medical education within HIV care.

Brook is a voluntary sector organisation providing sexual health services and advice for all young people under 25. Brook's mission is to enable young people to enjoy their sexuality without harm.

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FRSH) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists sets standards, provides educational events and expert clinical advice, and awards qualifications in recognition of specialist knowledge and skills in the field.

The sexual health charity FPA provides straightforward information, advice and support to all people across the UK on all aspects of sexual health, sex and relationships.

The Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health (MedFASH) is a charity dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the healthcare of people affected by HIV, sexually transmitted infections and related conditions.

NAT is a charity dedicated to transforming society's response to HIV – providing fresh thinking, expert advice and practical resources, and campaigning for change. Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is an HIV and sexual health charity, which provides a wide range of clinical and support services and also campaigns for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual ill health.