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Rise in sexual infections: Government dither and delay
November 25, 2004 5:56 PM
The Liberal Democrats slammed the Government's record on promoting sexual health as figures from the Health Protection Agency show that 53,000 people are now living with HIV in the UK, with growing rates in other sexually transmitted infections.
Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:
"Ministers have dithered and delayed for too long on sexual health. Sex infections are rocketing, and finally the Government is waking up to this problem.
"Sexual health services are one of the most neglected areas of the NHS and are continually starved of funds to meet Government targets or to pay off trust debts. Waiting times in clinics are far too long.
"Leaving these people untreated means that infections spread and the problem only gets worse. Preventing the rising tide of infections would save the NHS millions and more importantly, would save lives. The new campaign must be targeted at those groups who are most at risk.
"Ministers must stop sending confusing messages on safe sex. Margaret Hodge recently recommended giving teenage girls contraceptive injections. In the rush to prevent teenage pregnancies it is essential that Ministers do not simply recommend contraceptive methods that fail to tackle sexual infections."
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