Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Fifth Report - The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in young people and other high risk groups
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 463
Published 26 March 2024
Recommendations
4
Accepted in Part
Para 31
Accredit and monitor online STI test providers, and outline child safeguarding for online risks.
Recommendation
Online providers of STI tests and treatment should be accredited by the relevant regulatory body, and regularly monitored on their performance against national clinical guidelines. In response to this Report, the Government should set out the steps it will take …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, noting existing regulation for online STI tests and treatments, though some providers may be outside CQC scope. For child safeguarding, NICE guidance on Child Maltreatment will be linked in new CQC safeguarding guidance, but specific steps to ensure children receive support are not outlined.
Government Equalities Office
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13
Accepted in Part
Para 57
Set out plans to reverse substantial reductions in the number of school nurses.
Recommendation
School nurses are a valuable resource. They are a trusted adult who children can turn to, they can pick up on safeguarding concerns, and trends in problems such as STI prevalence in a community. They can also direct children to …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, recognising the fundamental role of school nurses and stating that workforce planning will be a central part of the 10 Year Health Plan to ensure the right staff are available, including school nurses. However, no specific plans for reversing the recent reductions are provided.
Government Equalities Office
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14
Accepted in Part
Para 62
Increase HPV vaccine uptake, targeting missed children and enabling sexual health services.
Recommendation
The HPV vaccine is a remarkable step forwards in preventing HPV infection and the serious consequences that can result from it. It is a tragedy that not all children are receiving this vaccine. The Government must step up its efforts …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation. It commits to strengthening efforts to improve HPV vaccine uptake, including targeted outreach, digital enhancements, and local commissioning to meet WHO recommended levels. However, it only accepts that sexual health services should be able to deliver the vaccine to unvaccinated, eligible individuals who attend for other services, rather than all who would benefit.
Government Equalities Office
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16
Accepted in Part
Develop a coherent, cross-sector sexual health strategy to reverse rising STI trends in young people.
Recommendation
The Government must ensure that the sexual healthcare system works more efficiently and effectively to arrest and reverse the trend in sexually transmitted infections. This will require longer term work to carefully consider how the different parts of the system …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, committing to developing a new HIV Action Plan by 2025, which will include objectives to stabilise and support sexual and reproductive health (SRH) system enablers, and improve collaboration and integration in the wider SRH system.
Government Equalities Office
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Conclusions (1)
10
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 54
There is compelling evidence that Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in schools is inadequate, including in relation to contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with nearly half of children saying education in this area is so poor they rely on finding information for themselves online. This exposes children to an …
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the conclusion, noting existing teacher training modules and Oak National Academy resources, and confirming DfE is currently reviewing the RSHE statutory guidance with a response due in 2025. They are also developing effective practice tools for 16-18 year olds in Further Education settings.