Have your say on changes to York's sexual health service

City of York Council is inviting people to have their say on the way sexual health services are provided in York.

The consultation can be completed via www.york.gov.uk/Consultations by Monday 2 September at 2pm.

If anyone would like a paper copy, or would like the consultation in a different language, or accessible format please contact enquires.publichealth@york.gov.uk or 01904 551550.

The sexual health service in York is delivered through YorSexualHealth, provided by the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The provision of free, comprehensive, open access sexual health and contraceptive services is a mandated Public Health function of local authorities, as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

The council is working closely with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to review the service and it’s partnership, as part of the re-procurement of the service for the next 10 years.

Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health, said: “Sexual health services are vital and we are proud of the quality of what has been available to people in York in recent years.

“Sexual and reproductive health is not just about preventing disease or infection. It also means promoting good sexual health in a wider context, including relationships, sexuality and choices around conception. It is a vital aspect of overall health and wellbeing and of public health.

“We are determined that we will meet York’s future needs to the same level, but there are always opportunities to make changes and do things more efficiently.

“That is reflected in our performance figures, which reflect very well on those involved in delivering the services.”

Jo Mannion, Consultant and Care Group Director for Family Health at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have successfully provided a range of high-quality, easily accessible sexual health services over the last few years, and we welcome the opportunity to build on this success in strong partnership with York.”

A report was taken to an Executive meeting on 13 June to outline what these changes could mean. 

The current contract with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was due for renewal in July, and following Executive approval was extended for an additional 12-month period.

In order to deliver the new contract, the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the council have identified that some efficiencies would need to be made to the service. These would be proposed to be done by a staged approach during the 12-month extension period, to ensure robust monitoring and evaluation.

The proposed changes include these staged service reductions over a 12-month period:

• Maintain the YorSexualHealth service until October 2024

• The Trust will work with the council on an impact assessment and public consultation which is proposed to start in July 2024

• Depending on the above, a proposed approach would then be to negotiate and introduce service changes during 2024/25.

Without prejudging the outcome of the consultation (and subject to contract), this could potentially include:

• A reduction in the number of clinic hours the service is open for

• A further cap on activity relating to Preventx for York residents.(online STI testing)

• A cap on activity relating to LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) including contraceptive coils and contraceptive implants.

The council and the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will then continue negotiations, due diligence and analysis and work towards potential commencement of a new contract (under a section 75 partnership agreement) in 2025/6,

Sexual health services are a key part of public health and are funded via the ring-fenced Public Health Allocation.

The current contract with York and Scarborough NHS Trust and Nimbuscare Limited has recently been extended following discussions with the providers through the Sexual Health Joint Management Board, chaired by the Director of Public Health. Wider consultation, including with service users will be completed once the changes to the service provision are known.

A benefit of a new service contract with the current Integrated Sexual Health Services contract with York and Scarborough NHS Trust, is that they have a proven track record and have been a provider of sexual health services in York for over 10 years.

Following a consultation, a new legal agreement between two organisations will be agreed.