Sexual Health Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway

We are in the process of updating the Sexual Health Action Plan. We would like your help. It is essential that service users and the public are involved to help shape sexual health improvement for the future. If you would like to involved, please contact us. Your feedback will be essential in shaping the way forward for sexual health in the region.

We are embarking on a comprehensive consultation stage. We will be contacting groups/organisations and individuals all across the region. We would like you to let us know what you feel are the important issues around sexual health.

There are many ways you can get involved -

• Phone call
• E mail
• Questionnaires
• Focus group
• Be part of the steering group

If you would like to be involved, please contact us.

The current Sexual Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Action Plan

In 1999 due to the rise in unintended teenage pregnancies and the dramatic rise in the incidences of sexually transmitted infections, NHS Dumfries and Galloway recognised the need to develop a local strategy for sexual health. The strategy was developed by a multi agency steering group, the strategy went through extensive consultation and was released in October 2003.

If you would like a copy of this strategy and action agenda please contact us

On the 27^th January 2005 the Scottish Executive released Respect and Responsibility, the National Strategy and Action Plan for Improving Sexual Health. This was Scotland?s first strategy for sexual health. The strategy sets out clear challenges for Government, NHS Boards, Local Authorities and other agencies to challenge attitudes and behaviour to sex and to deliver better sexual health services across the country.

It was recognised, that to ensure that the Local Strategy and Action Agenda, reflect the key components of the National Strategy, whilst reflecting the needs of the local population, the Local Strategy would need to be refreshed. A multi agency steering group was established, and extensive consultation with the public and other partners was undertaken.

The purpose of the strategy is to provide a clear direction and focus for sexual health work throughout Dumfries and Galloway. The strategy will provide a framework for the development of sexual health and relationships, building on existing partnerships and best practice in the region. It sets out a number of key principles and provides a clear evidence based foundation to underpin and inform the development of an inclusive, co-ordinated, comprehensive and effective approach to sexual health improvement, for all people in Dumfries and Galloway. By improving peoples sexual health their overall wellbeing will improve.

There were eight main stages in the development of the strategy. These were:

• A mapping process looking at what had been achieved since the launch of the previous Strategy and Action Agenda.
• A comparison exercise identifying the gaps in the local strategy in relation to national recommendations.
• Extensive research/consultation into the local needs/priorities.
• The development of a discussion paper
• The development of background papers
• The development of the draft strategy on the basis of the consultation findings and discussion with the sexual health steering group.
• A three month public consultation of the draft strategy
• Revision of the strategy to take into account the views expressed from the consultation

The Strategy and Action Plan have now been endorsed and are being implemented across the region. If you would like a hard copy of the documents please contact Jill Cullen, Team Secretary at jillcullen@nhs.net  or on 01387 272732.

To download the strategy please click on the link   Sexual Health Strategy 2007

To download the action plan please click on the link  Sexual Health Action Plan 2007

To download the summary please click on the link  Sexual Health Summary 2007