Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Improve collaboration across sexual healthcare for young people, supported by a national strategy.
Recommendation
The provision of sexual health services is fragmented across the health system and can be complex to navigate. The Government should work with providers and commissioners to improve collaboration across reproductive and sexual healthcare to ensure effective cross-system support for young people and other groups at greatest risk of contracting an STI. These measures should be underpinned by a wider national strategy on sexual health. (Paragraph 36) The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in young people and other high risk groups 29
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and is undertaking work on condom usage as part of the new HIV Action Plan. They have extended the 'Get Ready for a Hot Summer' campaign until March 2026 with £1.5 million funding to raise awareness and distribute 20,000 condom packs.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Accept The government accepts this recommendation. The government recognises the importance of condom usage. Work is being undertaken to highlight this as part of the development of the new HIV Action Plan and we are considering what more can be done to convey this important message. UKHSA has provided subject matter expertise for the development of NICE’s Reducing STIs Guideline; this guideline recommends sex-positive approaches to providing advice on the consistent and correct use of barrier methods, including providing external condoms in different sizes and textures, and internal condoms. ‘Get Ready for a Hot Summer’ is the summer campaign run by HPE, a cornerstone of the current HIV Action Plan. The current version of HPE began in 2021 and has recently been extended for an additional year until March 2026 with £1.5m of funding. This multi–channel campaign focuses on raising awareness of why and how to prevent STIs including HIV. The campaign primarily targets key populations, such as gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), heterosexuals of Black African ethnicity, young people and other populations at a higher risk of HIV and other STIs. To support action, 20,000 condom packs containing condoms, lubrication sachets and campaign leaflets with further information on the importance of correct and consistent use of condoms are created for distribution during the campaign. During the last campaign in 2024, 10,000 were distributed at events and 10,000 were available to order online. The packs distributed at events contained regular condoms while people online could choose from a range of options that included smaller, larger, latex free and more sensitive condoms. Dedicated SHSs play a key public health role in prevention, diagnosis, early treatment and management of STIs, Individual local authorities are responsible for funding and commissioning decisions about the SHSs that best meet the needs of their local populations, including prevention campaigns and condom usage.