Data reveals that there has been an increase in gonorrhoea cases in the majority of council regions in England and Wales, due to a surge in demand for sexual health services.
According to data analyzed by the Local Government Association (LGA), 97% of council areas have experienced an increase in diagnosed cases of gonorrhea since 2017, while 71% have seen a rise in syphilis cases during the same time period.
The areas with the highest rises in gonorrhea cases were Wigan, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and Torbay. Similarly, the locations with the largest growth in syphilis diagnoses were Middlesbrough, Isle of Wight, Darlington, and Redcar and Cleveland.
In 36% of council areas, there has been a rise in the number of chlamydia diagnoses.
The Local Government Association (LGA) stated that the rise in cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be attributed to both increased testing and reductions in government funding for sexual health services. These high rates of diagnosis may also indicate a significant number of infections among individuals who have not undergone testing.
The data reveals that “local sexual health services are facing unprecedented surges in demand,” according to David Fothergill, the chair of the LGA’s community wellbeing board.
He stated, “Local governments have made significant efforts to promote access to sexual health services and encourage regular testing in order to increase detection rates and identify infections early.”
Investing in sexual health services can have long-term benefits such as preventing illness and unwanted pregnancies. This can alleviate strain on our healthcare system and promote better health for individuals within our communities.
In the year 2022, there was an increase in the number of syphilis cases in England, reaching a record high of 8,700, the largest number reported since 1948.
The number of gonorrhea diagnoses in England increased from 80.6 per 100,000 individuals in 2017 to 146.1 per 100,000 individuals in 2022.
The UK Health Security Agency reported a 13.4% increase in the number of STI tests taken in 2022, totaling 2.2 million.
The LGA analysis discovered that the funding given to councils for public health has decreased by £880 million over the last ten years when adjusted for inflation. This has resulted in a decrease in the resources available to local authorities for STI testing and treatment.
The LGA has requested that the government promptly release the next round of public health grant allocations for local councils in order to secure additional funding for these services.
The women and equalities committee in Parliament will be conducting a session on Wednesday to gather evidence about the increasing rates of STIs among individuals aged 15-24.
Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, will provide evidence, along with Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, and Dr Claire Dewsnap, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH).
According to Dewsnap, Bashh has emphasized the importance of investing in sexual health services in order for users to receive timely and expert care. Additionally, the tendering processes have caused instability in the sector and a decrease in training, which ultimately hinders the quality and accessibility of services.
This information not only shows the alarming trend of STI infections increasing, but also highlights the importance of a strong national plan supported by sufficient funding. If we do not take action soon, the rising demand for healthcare will put our nation’s sexual health at risk.
A representative from the Department of Health and Social Care stated that this year, we have designated over £3.5 billion to local authorities in England for the provision of public health services, including sexual health services. This funding will continue to increase in the upcoming three years.
We are collaborating with the UK Health Security Agency, local authorities, and NHS England to address challenges in sexual and reproductive health services and enhance availability of regular services.
Source: theguardian.com
