§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he will take to increase funding for sexual health services in Northern Ireland. [145428]
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§ Angela SmithThe Department, through its Regional Advisory Committee on Communicable Disease Control, commissioned a local review of sexual health issues. The resulting comprehensive report on "Sexually Transmitted Infections and Genito-urinary Medicine Services" was issued to Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts for implementation on 14 April 2003.
This was followed by the Department's "Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan", which has been issued for a period of consultation finishing on 19 March 2004. The aim of the Strategy is to improve, protect and promote the sexual health and well-being of the population in Northern Ireland, along with addressing issues relating to education, access to information and services. It also addresses issues such as reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections and Aids.
In the meantime, my Department, in conjunction with Boards and Trusts, is identifying opportunities to improve Genito-urinary Medicine services, along with the necessary resources to sustain service development.