scholarly journals Safeguarding teenagers in a sexual health service during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2021-055055
Author(s):  
Sarah Bekaert ◽  
Liz Azzopardi
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Assessment Standards ◽  
Community Practitioner

ObjectivesThe first aim was to examine how the COVID-19 restrictions on movement impacted on teenagers’ access to a local sexual health service (SHS). The second aim was to audit whether safeguarding assessments were carried out for those accessing the service remotely.MethodsApril–September 2020 consultation numbers for teenagers aged 17 years and under were compared with the 2019 equivalent. Service safeguarding assessment standards were reviewed for teenagers receiving telephone consultations for the first 6 months of lockdown, April–September 2020.ResultsThere was a reduction in contact with the service of 100% for those aged 13 years and younger, 52% for those aged 14 and 15 years and 31% for those aged 16 and 17 years for the compared months. A safeguarding assessment was either carried out by the service or accounted for by a partner community practitioner for all contacts with the service by young people 15 years or younger. 96% of safeguarding assessments were carried out for those aged 16–17 years.ConclusionsThere was a reduction in consultations for all age groups examined in the 6 months following lockdown. This adds to the evidence that restrictions during lockdown are barriers to young people accessing SHSs. For those who did have a consultation, safeguarding assessments were consistently carried out. Nevertheless, due to reduced contact overall, it is likely that some safeguarding issues remain undisclosed. Multiagency safeguarding networks and telephone consultations with a low threshold for promoting an in-person consultation facilitated access to the SHS and a robust safeguarding pathway during the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Standards for comprehensive sexual health services for young people under 25 years

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 420-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
K E Rogstad ◽  
I H Ahmed-Jushuf ◽  
A J Robinson
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Contraceptive Services ◽  
Level 2

This document is a first response to the need to develop sexual health services for young people on a single site whilst awaiting research from pilot studies of 'one stop shops' suggested in the Sexual Health and HIV strategy. It is a document which is intended to be a tool to use for those wishing to set up a service providing testing for sexually transmitted infections and provision of contraceptive services for those under 25 years. It is not intended that such a service would replace existing specialist or general practice care but complement it, allowing clients to choose the service most appropriate and acceptable to them, with close links and clear pathways of care for referral between services. This paper should be used as a template when initiating and monitoring a clinic but some of the standards may not be achievable without significant financial input. However, economic limitations should not detract from striving to achieve the best possible care for those most at risk from sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. For example, not all clinics will be able to provide the recommended tests for the diagnosis for gonorrhoea and chlamydia immediately, but should work towards achieving them. Although the upper age limit in this document is defined as 25 years, some providers may wish to limit clinics to those under 20 depending on local needs. Detailed information on specific issues such as consent and confidentiality, provision of contraception, investigation of non-sexually transmitted vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infection management and diagnosis are referenced and we recommend these are accessed by the users of this document. Many of the references themselves are live documents available on the worldwide web, and are constantly updated. The Sexual Health and HIV Strategy has now been published and these standards are aimed at those who wish to provide a level 2 sexual health service for young people wherever the setting e.g. genitourinary outreach clinic, contraceptive services, general practice. This document is a starting point to be reviewed and updated as new research becomes available, as the Sexual Health Strategy is implemented and with further input from providers of care (family planning, general practice, genitourinary medicine, gynaecology and paediatrics) and service users. All service providers must maintain a high quality of care and have networks both with those who provide more specialized services (Level 3) and Level 1 services. This document is an initial attempt to ensure that there is equity of clinical provision wherever a Level 2 sexual health service is provided and should be a useful tool for those setting up or monitoring services.

Can an asymptomatic screening pathway for men who have sex with men be introduced safely at a level 3 sexual health service in the UK?

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Collister ◽  
Manroop Bains ◽  
Rachel Jackson ◽  
Emily Clarke ◽  
Raj Patel
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
The Uk

Audit on management of sexual assault victims attending an integrated sexual health service in Coventry

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 911-914
Author(s):  
Billakanti Swarna Kumari ◽  
Shyamalie Bopitiya ◽  
Anne Bassinder ◽  
Satyajit Das
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Ethnic Origin ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Assault Victims ◽  
Hiv Risk Assessment

The management of victims of sexual assault need a holistic approach. The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) has set up standards for the management of sexual assault victims attending Sexual Health Clinics. We audited the management of victims of sexual assault attending an integrated sexual health service against recommendations from the latest BASHH guidelines. We included the recommendations and implementations already in place following an earlier audit in 2013 using the same guideline. Sixty-seven individuals identified themselves as victims of sexual assault. Most were of white ethnic origin (78%), female (96%) and the commonest age group was 18–25 years (39%). We achieved the 100% target in recording the date of assault, offering baseline sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, HIV risk assessment, offer of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV where applicable and offer of emergency contraception. We were below the 100% target for other categories but improved compared to the previous audit except in recording the time when the first dose of PEP for HIV was given. The BASHH guideline has 14 auditable standards, all with a target of 100%. Our audit cycle completed in three years showed considerable improvement in achieving the standards in the management of Sexual Assault Victims. We hope this will encourage other centres audit their practice against the standards set by BASHH.

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