GP in York warns of possible explosion in sexually transmitted diseases if treatment capacity is cut

A York GP has warned that the city could face an “explosion” in cases of sexually transmitted diseases if the council pushes through its plans to cut sexual health services.

The City of York Council is required by law to provide such a service as part of its public health role, which includes advice on contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

However, it also states that local government budgets for public health have fallen by ten percent in real terms across the country over the past ten years – and that “things need to be done more efficiently.”

She has launched a consultation on changing the way sexual health services are provided in York, but has made it clear that this will involve a “gradual reduction in provision” over a 12-month period.

These cuts are expected to include a reduction in opening hours at the Monkgate sexual health clinic and a limit on the number of STI home tests sent out.

York GP Dr David Fair, of the Jorvik Gillygate Practice, said today he was deeply concerned about the prospect.

“I am appalled at the potential risk of an explosion in cases of sexually transmitted diseases,” he said.

York GP Dr David Fair (Image: provided)

Peter Roderick, City of York Council’s director of health, acknowledged that he shared some of Dr Fair’s concerns given the already rising number of sexually transmitted infections in York and across the country.

“We are trying to do our best given the current situation on the ground,” he said.

Sexual health services are commissioned and paid for by local authorities as part of their public health role, not by the NHS.

York City Council pays YorSexualHealth, which is run by York and Scarborough Hospitals Trust, £1.8 million a year to run the service.

That contract, which was due to be renewed this month, has been extended for 12 months. The council is now working with the York and Scarborough Hospitals Trust to review the contract and extend it for a further ten years, but will need to make “some efficiencies” in the process.

A major online consultation has started at www.york.gov.uk/Consultations – you have until 2 September to have your say.

Mr Roderick said that while cuts would be necessary, the impact could be mitigated by a “judged” approach.

One of the main areas where restrictions are likely to be imposed is online STI testing, where people can order a home test online, test themselves and send the results back by mail.

York is likely to see cuts to online STI testing (Image: provided)

This system was introduced during the Covid pandemic, said Roderick, but it is expensive – and there is evidence that it is being abused.

Some sexually active people are repeatedly ordering test kits, he said. “It seems like they’re having unprotected sex and then testing themselves to find out if they’ve contracted an STI.”

The maximum number of test kits sent out is likely to be limited to just eight per day.

This would then force more people to come to a clinic to get tested, where they could be counseled on using contraception, Roderick said.

Under the proposals, the opening hours of the Monkgate sexual health clinic, which is currently open 5.5 days a week, are also likely to be reduced by up to two hours a day.

The opening hours of the sexual health open clinic at Monkgate Health Centre are expected to be reduced. (Image: Google Maps)

But the goal is to get more people accessing the pharmacy, not fewer, by opening at times that are more convenient for patients, Roderick said.

The changes include promoting a strong safer sex message as part of the consultation and plans to make more free condoms available, both in areas such as student halls of residence where there are sexually active people, and through a ‘condom postal service’ that can be accessed online.

To promote safer sex in York, more free condoms could be provided. (Image: Stock)

Dr Fair said he accepted that local authorities were under enormous financial pressure.

However, he said that trying to save money on sexual health services was a “false economy” as it would lead to an increase in sexually transmitted infections.

Not only would this have harmful effects on people’s health, but it would also result in higher costs in the long run as infections that could have been prevented would have to be treated.

Save costs – by determining the patient’s place of residence

One way to save money on sexual health services in York is to find out where patients live.

Peter Roderick, York’s director of public health, says many people who use sexual health services in York actually come from outside the city.

This is partly because York is a tourist city with around 8 million visitors a year.

However, tourists are not the only non-locals who seek sexual health services in York. Some people come to York from neighbouring local authorities to avoid the stigma associated with seeking sexual health advice where they live.

All of these patients will continue to receive treatment, Mr Roderick said.

However, if the council can prove that patients live elsewhere in the UK, they can send the bill for the services they receive to their own local authority.