Agenda item

12:20

A report is attached at JHO9 which provides an update on the range of sexual health services delivered by stakeholders in the county and discusses the services commissioned by the County Council to meet the sexual needs of the population of Oxfordshire. The Committee will examine how the new service is working.

The commissioner and representatives from provider organisations will be attending the meeting.

The Committee had before them a report (JHO9) which provided an update on the range of sexual health services delivered by stakeholders in the county and which discussed the services commissioned by the County Council to meet the sexual needs of the population of Oxfordshire.

The following representatives attended in order to respond to questions:

-       Oxfordshire County Council - Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles, Dr Jonathan McWilliam, Val Messenger, Donna Husband;

-       Andrew Stevens and Jackie Sherrard – OUHT;

-       Emma Leader and Pauline Nicklin – Oxford Health

-       Kieran Watts – Boots Pharmacy

The Chairman commented on the importance for the public to understand the complexity of the service organisation and commissioning as it was so complex.

In response to a question about the distribution of the school nurses in the County, Dr McWilliam explained that there were 35 school health nurses, most of whom worked term-time, but some on a  full-time basis, providing coverage every day.

A member of the Committee asked if condoms were distributed by GPs, to which Donna Husband responded that were distributed (via a number of sites) by the sexual health service to young people who were aged up to 21 years or 25 if deemed vulnerable. Safeguarding procedures were applied and followed up for young people under the age of 16.

A member asked why there were no school health nurses situated within the county’s primary schools. Pauline Nicklin explained that although there were none as yet, a robust team from Oxford Health liaised very closely with headteachers to provide sexual health education to groups of children in years 5 and 6. Subjects introduced included resilience, relationships, concepts of what a good relationship should be etc. They also worked in tandem with Social Services with children who are deemed to be more at risk. Cllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles added her recognition that school nurses were required in each primary school and it was hoped that this service would be provided in the future. However 6 qualified and 12 unqualified additional nurses had been provided to cover primary schools. Their working hours ranged from 25 to 30 hours per week.

In response to various enquiries, members were provided with the following information:

-       The lease of the service for Rectory Road was for the duration of the contract ;

-       Rectory Road premises also housed the drugs and alcohol service, the contract for which was from a different provider. Their presence did not cause any problems. There were discreet, separate entrances to each service within the building;

-       The Sexually Transmitted Infection service offered a same day service 6 days per week and offered appointments within 48 hours. If the client offered symptoms then they could be seen on the same day;

-       User feedback was collected across the county and more formal evaluation was also undertaken – it was also taken from people not using the service. Oxfordshire County Council also evaluated all their contracts;

-       School health nurses were correcting any literature which contained the old address.

A question was asked about the use of social media. Jackie Sherrard explained that the sexual health website was well used receiving many hits a month and the landing page also directed users to other significant services.  They also had a presence on Facebook and Twitter, and a variety of information was given on different websites such as that of the Terence Higgins Trust.  All STI results were sent by text to patients. Young people were consulted about what kind of media was the most appropriate to use and what they liked and disliked.

With regard to disability access and access by new mothers with pushchairs to Rectory Road, Cllr Hibbert-Biles explained that she had heard the message, had met with the new providers and was addressing the problem.

With regard to complaints made by young people to Healthwatch Oxfordshire that GPs were giving a reduction in service in the Wantage area, Dr McWilliam assured the Committee that nearly all practices had signed up in that area. He added, however, that alternatives were available which were provided by the commercial environment based on assessment of need.

In response to questions from the Committee about whether in the future the service will expand to include treatment for syphilis, Dr McWilliam stated that any problems in the county would be taken forward. He directed the Committee’s attention to his forthcoming Annual Report in which he would highlight the unsatisfactory uptake of tests for Chlamydia and would request Public Health England to take an independent look at action to be taken. A member of the Committee asked if Chlamydia screening could be extended. Dr McWilliam responded that there was an online budget of £15k.

The Chairman thanked all for their attendance asking that the Committee be kept informed about services in Wantage.