New services designed to reduce unplanned pregnancy among young people and improve their sexual health have been launched.
Morley Street Contraception and Sexual Health Service, which offers drop-in clinics and booked appointments, is the first service of its kind in the area open six days a week. Drop in times: Mon-Fri 2pm -7pm. Sat 10am-12.30pm (for under 19's only). For appointments or enquiries telephone 01273 242091.
Services targeting young people has been launched following a mystery shopper exercise that has helped produce services that engage more effectively with young people. These include opening hours that suit young people, increased confidentiality in one to one sessions and straight-talking literature. As well as longer opening hours, there will also be swift online referrals to specialist services for those that need it. The new services are an ideal opportunity to promote positive attitudes amongst young people toward contraception and sexual health advice. The improved services come after the city recorded a record 25% fall in the rate of teenagers becoming pregnant compared to 13% nationally. From a ‘baseline’ rate of 48 per 1,000 of under 18’s that fell pregnant in 1998, the level has dropped by more than a quarter to 36 per 1,000. While 187 teenagers became pregnant in 1998 that figure had fallen to 150 in 2008. More than 200 teenagers considered ‘at risk’ of unplanned pregnancy learnt about the dangers of alcohol misuse, the role of contraception and the importance of delaying sex until they are ready. Campaigns and services were focused on engaging with young people on issues around alcohol and healthy sexual relationships. The council ran campaigns that involved 22 professionals from six different services that identified ‘at risk’ young people. Those were called ‘I am Safe’ last summer and ‘R U Ready for the Holidays’ over the winter. We also tackle ‘proxy purchasing’ to warn adults against buying alcohol for underage drinkers. The Mystery Shopper exercise has helped us design more effective ways to engage with our teenagers and I think it will encourage more to access our important services. “There has already been a significant fall in the number of teenagers becoming pregnant in the city and that underlines the importance of the wide-ranging work that the council and NHS Brighton & Hove are carrying out.
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| 2937 Morely Street Postcard - web.pdf | 625.84 KB |
| 2937 Morely Street 8pp DL - web.pdf | 725.78 KB |
| 2937 Teen Pregancy - Poster - web.pdf | 461.05 KB |