A SPECIAL inquiry is underway following reports of a rise in sexually transmitted infections and a high teenage pregnancy rate in a North-East town.

The issue of sexual health in Hartlepool, which has a teen pregnancy rate higher than the English average, is being examined in a six-month inquiry.

Hartlepool Council’s Health Scrutiny Forum will look at the work being done to improve sexual health and scrutinise the services currently provided to deal with the issue, in order to examine whether or not they meet the needs of local people.

Councillor Stephen Akers-Belcher, Chair of the Scrutiny Forum, said: “Our investigation is set against the background of a rise in sexually-transmitted infections across the UK as a whole in recent years and a teenage pregnancy rate in Hartlepool which is higher than the English average.

“Deprivation, social exclusion and sexual health are all inextricably linked and we want to ensure that everything possible is being done to meet the needs of people in Hartlepool and that the services and support available is easily accessible to everyone.”

Representatives of local schools, as well as voluntary and community sector groups and youth groups have been invited to attend a meeting of the forum on Thursday January 10 from 9am.

The meeting, which will be held at the Council Chamber in Hartlepool Civic Centre, will allow the groups to give evidence on available sexual health support services as well as discuss the effectiveness of sex and relationships education provided in schools.  Members of the public are welcome to attend.