NHS partnership brings improved sexual health services to North Yorkshire

A “more efficient and targeted” approach to sexual health services begins today across North Yorkshire thanks to a new partnership.

The arrangement, which enhances the county’s existing YorSexualHealth service, will include more developed online help for people to improve access to services as well as a more bespoke and targeted approach for people with the greatest need.

The service involves a new partnership agreement between North Yorkshire County Council and the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act for a period of up to ten years.

The aim is to build on a sexual health service that is already highly ranked nationally by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy for its high-quality, free, confidential and friendly sexual health provision across the county, accessed via face-to-face clinics, online and telephone.

The development of the service is based on public consultation in which respondents called for greater online access to help as well as more targeted support.

Louise Wallace, North Yorkshire’s director of public health, said: “This partnership to deliver Yorsexualhealth services removes the need to re-tender every two to three years and provides consistency and a fully collaborative approach.

“The existing service, which has been delivered on the council’s behalf by the trust for the last seven years, has an excellent track record. It is well respected and delivered to the highest standards. The new arrangements take into account how people have adapted their use of the service during the Covid-19 pandemic, and will help to meet the needs of the community in North Yorkshire.”

Dr Jo Mannion, consultant and care group director for Family Health at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We have successfully provided a range of high-quality, easily accessible sexual health services over the last few years, while co-existing with Covid, and we welcome the opportunity to continue to build on this success, working in strong partnership with the County Council and our local population.”