Agenda item

This report providers an overview of provision delivered by sexual health services in the borough to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of Oldham’s residents.

The Director of Public Health submitted a  report providing an overview of provision delivered by sexual health services in the borough to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of Oldham’s residents.

Andrea Entwistle, Senior Business and Commissioning Manager introduced a presentation  given by HCRG Care Group (Stephen Giles) and Early Break (Janine Day) providing an update on progress made by the services in improving sexual health outcomes and achieving budget reduction targets.

It was reported that having a high functioning sexual health offer for our residents is an essential component of the range of activity required to achieve better population health and reduce demand on health and social care services. As per Public Health funding conditions and mandated responsibilities, the Council is required to ensure access to sexual health services for all of its residents.

Oldham, Rochdale and Bury Councils (ORB) collaboratively commission the provision of an Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS) to support better population health and meet our mandated responsibilities for open access sexual health services. HCRG Care Group had been commissioned to provide Oldham, Rochdale and Bury Integrated Sexual Health Service (ORBISH) since 1 April 2022, for an initial 5-year contract term, with an option to extend by up to 5 further years. 

HCRG also work in collaboration with Early Break to provide an integrated Young People’s Sexual Health and Substance Misuse Service (Meeting Your Needs Oldham – MYNO) and have been commissioned to deliver this service since 1 April 2021. Cabinet recently approved the option to extend the contract for a period of 2 years, until 31 March 2026. 

The presentation provided information of Oldham’s sexual health profile and gave an update on both walk-in and on-line clinical activity in the past year. This showed that there had been a reduction in on-line services but that there had been an increase in walk in patients.  It was acknowledged that their were confidentiality concerns about pharmacies and that improvements were being looked at.

The presentation highlighted that Oldham, like most other areas, had seen a increase in the rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) with a particularly concerning increase in Gonorrhoea and Syphilis. A key aim of the partnership was to target harder to reach groups.

The presentation also emphasised the increasing importance of pharmacies in delivering contraception and sexual health services. This reduced the pressure on GP surgeries and offered wider choice to people seeking support.

MYNO has been subject to a budget reduction for the periods of 2023/24 and 2024/25. Savings of £65,000 had been achieved in 2023/24  in areas of staffing, on costs and drug procurement and medical device costs. A further saving of £85,000 was necessary in 2024/25 and a range of options were being examined as well as seeking new sources of funding.

A member asked about HIV testing and information on the number of people receiving PrEP. A discussion took place on the importance of early testing and diagnosis of HIV for prevention, treatment and outcomes. It was  suggested that the partnership could attend Pride events to carry out testing.

Members asked that future reports provide numbers rather than percentages as that information would be more meaningful.  It was also requested that future reports should provide information on working with the voluntary sector and look further at improving engagement and publicity.

Resolved:

1. That the report and presentation be noted.

2. The Chair and Director of Adult Care look at including update reports in the new work programme for 2024/25