CHANGES to contraceptive services in Darlington are leaving youngsters worried about their sexual health.

Growing concerns around sexual health provision have been exacerbated by last week's announcement of significant budget cuts across the town.

The termination of a public health contract in January has led to uncertainty among service users while replacement measures are secured.

Austerity measures mean funding to Darlington’s sexual health services will be reduced in the coming years.

Darlington Borough Council’s reports state that services will not be axed but 'remodelled' to be more specifically-targeted in a bid to achieve 'required efficiencies'.

In January, the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust ended a contract with Darlington Borough Council that saw the trust provide outreach sessions at the Park Place Medical Practice and a chlamydia screening programme.

The council is in the process of securing a new contract, which is due to start in August.

A spokeswoman said: "We have been working collaboratively with partners, including Healthwatch Darlington, to find out what people think of the services.

"The findings from these consultations will be collated and reviewed to inform the procurement and promotion of future services.

“In the meantime, provision is in place to ensure ongoing access to contraceptive services during the transition process."

A range of sexual health services – including drop-in sessions at the Dolphin Centre and Darlington College – are available during the transition period.

Cllr Cyndi Hughes, the council’s member for children and young people, said: “We don’t know what the effects of these cuts will be but I think there will be a negative impact and have real concerns.

“It will be much more difficult for young people to access advice and contraception without 24-hour support in place.

“Some colleges offer contraception but for those not in college or for those at religious colleges, it can be a real issue.”

One teenager, who did not want to be named, said: “This is going to have a really bad impact in Darlington.

“A lot of my friends have had to have the morning-after pill and I’ve needed to access contraceptive services.

“You never go out thinking you’re going to need it but things happen and you can’t take the risk.

“These changes could mean contraceptives are harder to get and it will mean a lot of young people are left feeling scared and on their own."

Michelle Thompson, the chief executive of Healthwatch Darlington, said a number of young people had raised issues around access to contraceptives.

She urged public health officials to ensure any changes are clearly and widely promoted to young people.