SEXUAL health services should do more to focus on the needs of older people, council bosses have said.

A report for members of Durham County Council detailed efforts to combat high rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among 15-to-24-year-olds.

But at meeting last week, members of the Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee demanded to know why no information had been provided on the sexual health of 'older people'.

Coun Shirley Quinn claimed there was no service on offer specifically catering to the needs of older generations.

“There’s no mention of older people,” she said, “but there’s a lot of older people who are still sexually active.

“There’s no provision I can see for people who might want to come along and ask if things are right.”

Coun Quinn’s view was shared by Coun Jude Grant, who claimed young people were already comfortable talking about sexual health, but those who "get divorced and start again" needed advice.

According to a report for councillors, the county’s Integrated Sexual Health Service is trying to get more ‘vulnerable groups’ to use it, but this is mainly focusing on groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, prisoners and others.

Paul Frank, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s (CDDFT) associate director of operations, said: “About ten years ago I worked in Teesside and when we did chlamydia testing there was a high prevalence in the over 40s.

“We recognise this is happening, but what we need to work on is identifying these groups in the right areas.

“One size doesn’t fit all.

“I think what we need to do is continue to have conversations with GPs and other services.”

According to the report, 16-24-year-olds make up about a tenth of the population, but account for 65 per cent of all chlamydia infections diagnosed in genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics.

They are also responsible for half of all genital warts and gonorrhoea cases.