Issue - meetings

The Board considered the Annual Report of the Sexual Health Board.  The report detailed the key work overseen and completed during 2015/16 and highlighted priorities for 2016/17.

Becky Reynolds, Consultant in Public Health, gave a presentation regarding the annual report.  The presentation covered the following issues:

·  Background and context

·  Statistics regarding sexual health in BaNES

·  Development of the sexual health strategy and action plan

·  Priorities for 2016/17:

o  Review membership of the Sexual Health Board

o  “Your Care Your Way”

o  Continued implementation of sexual health action plan

A full copy of the presentation is attached as an appendix to the minutes.

It was noted that conception rates for under 18s have dropped by 50%.  This was a good indicator of adolescent health.  The abortion rate gave an indication of how easily people can access advice about contraception.  The number of cases of gonorrhoea has increased nationally and within BaNES which indicated both an increase in risky behaviours and improved testing rates.  Education was very important and there are a number of different training courses regarding sexual health that are provided within the BaNES area.

The reason for the decrease in the amount of teenage pregnancies was unclear and could be due to increased access to contraception, support to teenage parents and strategic plans needing time to take effect.

Bruce Laurence noted that the education and the availability of contraception was proving successful in the reduction of teenage pregnancy.  He highlighted the impact of sexual health on people’s lives and on society.

Councillor Vic Pritchard noted the positive local statistics compared to the national figures.

It was RESOLVED to approve the contents of the Sexual Health Board Annual Report.