PROPOSALS are being put forward to build on the success of North Yorkshire’s sexual health services.

For almost five years, North Yorkshire County Council’s public health team has worked with York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (YTHFT) to provide the YorSexualHealth service.

In this time, it has established centres and clinics across the county in a variety of settings, including GP practices, community hospitals and military bases.

It has introduced online testing, improved training for medical staff, brought elements of the service together in the same location and treated many more people who previously would have travelled outside the county.

The county council is now proposing to continue the partnership with YTHFT for up to ten more years.

On September 3, the council’s Executive will be asked to approve the agreement that would allow the partnership to go ahead and to approve a four-week public consultation on the proposal.

Cllr Caroline Dickinson, member for public health, said: “Sexual health matters to most of us, yet it can be overlooked.

“It’s not just about preventing disease. It also means promoting good sexual health in a wider context, including relationships, sexuality and sexual rights.

“Good sexual health is vital to our health and wellbeing.

“Overall, compared to other areas in England, North Yorkshire has some good sexual health outcomes.

“However, there are issues and challenges. For example, rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to increase both locally and nationally, particularly chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea.”

STIs remain highest among young people and men who have sex with men and rates are increasing among the over-55s.

Wendy Scott, CEO at YTHFT, said: “We have successfully provided a range of high-quality, easily accessible sexual health services over the last five years, and we welcome the opportunity to build on this success in strong partnership with the County Council.”