Report on Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland’s engagement with young people on sexual health services

A full sexual health service review and re-procurement is currently being undertaken, led by the Tees Valley Public Health Shared Service, on behalf of the four 4 local authorities on Teesside with a view to re-procuring an integrated sexual health service for Teesside from 1st April 2016. The service will be required to meet national and local quality standards; reflect local need; and offer seamless care to patients across Teesside.

Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland compiled three questions to ask young people in which they were able to give free responses. Healthwatch carried out engagement events at Freeborough Academy in Brotton and Redcar and Cleveland College in Redcar. Staff at The Junction in Redcar also distributed the questions to their groups and we also held more in-depth discussions with our young Information Champions to try and get a deeper insight into issues affecting young people.

In total Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland spoke to 116 young people. A detailed breakdown of responses can be found in Appendix A. The young people were asked three questions which covered current use of services, any barriers to using the services and how they would like future services to be delivered.

Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland recommend that Tees Valley Public Health Services consider the following regarding the future provision of Sexual Health Services for young people within Redcar and Cleveland. Ensure that there is equal provision of services in all areas of Redcar & Cleveland; that there is a range of ways to access services and that they are delivered in an appropriate setting. Ensure that a robust awareness strategy is developed that increases awareness of services and reduces the stigma attached to using them. Ensure that staff have the right skills, values and competencies to deal with a varied and changing population.