§ Phil SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of sexually transmitted diseases were treated by the NHS in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [158091]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonInformation on the number of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treated by the national health service is not routinely collected. However, data is collected on the number of diagnoses of STIs made in genito-urinary medicine clinics. These are shown in the table for the years 1992 to 2002.
1616W
Number of diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases made in genitor-urinary medicine clinics in England: 1992 to 2002
Male Female Total 1992 177,064 195,218 372,282 1993 170,520 193,286 363,806 1994 178,866 212,010 390,876 1995 196,943 231,567 428,510 1996 202,465 249,438 451,903 1997 216,916 264,976 481,892 1998 228,963 277,945 506,908 1999 242,087 291,703 533,790 2000 260,899 309,173 570,072 2001 277,636 331,090 608,726 2002 295,411 348,988 644,399 Source: KC60 statutory returns from GUM clinics.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage best practice in sexual health promotion among vulnerable communities in London. [159172]
§ Mr. HuttonPrimary care trusts (PCTs) provide sexual health promotion services which meet the needs of their local populations. To support them in this role, in 2003, the Department published good practice guidance for use by PCTs and others on both the commissioning of sexual health services and effective sexual health promotion. These documents include guidance on working with communities most at risk of poor sexual health and HIV. In addition, the Department undertakes nationally funded sexual health promotion, targeting those groups most at risk of HIV, including activities in the London area.
A joint project by the five London strategic health authorities is on-going to develop a framework for modernising sexual health services across London.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among(a) heterosexual and (b) homosexual males. [159193]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThrough the Department's sexual health promotion work, we are raising public awareness of sexual health nationally through activities such as the Sex Lottery campaign. This targets 18 to 30-year-olds in raising awareness of sexually transmitted infections. Campaign materials include those specifically targeting young men, such as ambient materials in pubs and clubs (including men's washrooms) and advertisements in men's magazines.
The Department is funding the Men's Health Forum to investigate men's perception and attitudes towards chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted infection, and to identify the best ways to target men (both with information and for screening).
The Department is also currently committing £1 million a year to support the Medical Research Council's sexual health and HIV research programme. Men at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV are a focus of a number of existing projects, and will be highlighted in future calls for new research, under this programme.
Gay and bisexual men are identified in the sexual health strategy as one of the groups disproportionately affected by poor sexual health. For these men, the 1617W Department contracts the Terrence Higgins Trust to undertake targeted sexual health promotion and HIV prevention, in partnership with community based organisations across the country.
In addition to this national work, primary care trusts are responsible for meeting the sexual health needs of their local populations. The sexual health promotion toolkit (2003) provides guidance and practical advice to those working in the field of sexual health promotion. It includes specific tips and good practice for working with men of all ages to ensure that they are proactively targeted and services are open and welcoming to men.