A new Sexual Health Service in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will be launched on 1 January giving people a one stop shop for all sexual health services including contraception, genito-urinary medicine, proactive sexual health promotion and prevention.
The new service will be run by Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Partnership NHS Trust which has been awarded the contract from Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council following a rigorous tender process.
More than 100 staff from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Leicester City Council will transfer to the Staffordshire-based Trust bringing together current local sexual health services into one service.
The Trust already provides all sexual health services in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent and out of area in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. The contract for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will run for three years and will commence on 1 January 2014.
The new service includes:
- A free, confidential, self-referral, specialist sexual health service including screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive services and sexual health advice, information and promotion at St Peter’s Health Centre, Leicester and Loughborough Health Centre, Pinfold Gate, Loughborough.
- Contraceptive and sexually transmitted infections services at a range of venues at various times
- The Chlamydia Screening Service
- The Leicester City Safer sex project
These changes will not affect the Leicestershire & Rutland Safer Sex Projects.
Under the new service the Genito-Urinary Medicine (sexual health) service delivered from the Leicester Royal Infirmary or Loughborough Hospital will move to be part of the integrated sexual health service located at St Peters Health Centre and Loughborough Health Centre. The HIV treatment & care service will continue to be delivered at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) with appointments also available at Loughborough Health Centre.
Partnership Chief Executive Stuart Poynor said: "We are really delighted to have won this tender to deliver sexual health services for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
"Our expertise and experience in providing sexual health services, having delivered a high quality service in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, and in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin puts us in a really strong position and we are confident we can hit the ground running in our delivery."
Dr Doug Wulff, Partnership Trust Medical Director, said: "We are committed to delivering a service to the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in locations which are easily accessible to those who need them.
“Since being awarded the contract, the Partnership Trust has been working closely with existing service staff to welcome and integrate them effectively into our organisation, ensuring a seamless transition and continuous service for those who need services.”
Leicester’s Deputy City Mayor, and lead for health and wellbeing in the city, Cllr Rory Palmer said: “Bringing all of the city’s sexual health services under one visit will make it much easier for people to get the help and advice they need. There will also be more of these services in communities for both people living in the city and the county. The Trust’s experience in delivering these important services, and the knowledge and expertise of our local staff will ensure service users get the best care possible.”
For more information about where you can access services from please call free phone 0800 318 908, visit www.leicestersexualhealth.nhs.uk or view service leaflet
