The Sexual Health Team in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has been awarded ‘Clinical Team of the Year’ at the recent national General Practice Awards ceremony in London. The award was presented to Dr Fiona Carey, Consultant Physician in Sexual Health for the team’s success in developing a new model of providing sexual health check-ups in local GP practices.
In a unique partnership between the Trust’s Sexual Health Service and GP practices in the North Down and Lisburn areas, anyone who does not have symptoms can have a sexual health check for sexually transmitted infections with their GP or Practice Nurse. A blood test for HIV and Syphilis is taken as well as self-taken tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. An evaluation of the service found that 293 patients availed of the service in the first six months, with over 7% of these testing positive for Chlamydia.
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Dr Fiona Carey, Consultant Physician in Sexual Health explained: “The positivity rate for Chlamydia in young men attending GP practices was actually higher than the rate found in young men attending the specialist sexual health service, clearly identifying an unmet need in the local area. Accessibility for this population not only means availability but one within easy reach. We now plan to extend the project to GP practices in the Ards and Down localities in the new year. Patient evaluation praised the service for its close proximity to home, stating that it made Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing much easier and more available to everyone.”
Robert Moore, Lead Nurse, Primary Care Specialist Nursing, who nominated the team, said: “This project is an excellent example of Transforming Your Care aiming to provide services closer to patients’ homes and enhance the communication between primary care and the specialist sexual health service”.
Carmel Kelly, Nurse Consultant for Sexual Health, explained how the GP practices have been supported to develop this service. She said: “Through the development of a resource pack, training and ongoing support, the GPs and Practice Nurses are able to provide treatment with antibiotics for infections such as Chlamydia and also discuss the sensitive subject of arranging for sexual partners to be tested and treated. The service has also helped to increase the capacity of our specialist clinic and by forging closer links with GP’s, those with more complex health needs can be seen sooner by the specialist service.”A sexual health check- up for someone without symptoms does not require an intimate genital examination. For more information check with your local GP (Bangor/Holywood/Lisburn area only)
Alternatively if you have noticed something wrong or have any concerns, a specialist sexual health clinic is available in Bangor, Downpatrick and Lisburn. You do not need to be referred by your GP.
Contact (028) 4483 8133 to make an appointment or (028) 4483 8392 to speak with a nurse.
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