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Sexual Health review, Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Wednesday, 20 March 2024 6.30 pm

March 20, 2024 View on council website  Watch video of meeting or read trancript
AI Generated

Summary

The council meeting focused on reviewing sexual health services in the borough, particularly for young people under 25. The discussion centered on access to clinics, contraception, and educational provisions in schools. The council aimed to ensure services were sufficient and accessible, and considered improvements to meet local needs effectively.

Decision on Sexual Health Review: The council decided to proceed with a sexual health review, emphasizing the need to assess service accessibility for young people. Arguments for the review highlighted gaps in service provision and the potential risks of inadequate sexual health resources. The decision implies a thorough evaluation of current services and could lead to enhanced health outcomes and better resource allocation.

Discussion on Service Accessibility: There was significant concern about the limited operating days of sexual health clinics, particularly the Garden Clinic in Slough, which many residents of the borough use. The discussion revealed that the contract did not specify minimum operational days, leading to potential service inadequacies. This discussion points to a need for clearer contract terms in future agreements to ensure sufficient service availability.

Surprising Element: It was surprising to learn that the public health communications team, crucial for promoting sexual health services, had been defunded. This revelation raised concerns about the effectiveness of service promotion and the potential impact on public health awareness.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to improving sexual health services and highlighted areas needing immediate attention, such as service accessibility and public health communications.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Caroline Egglestone  LAB
Councillor Caroline Egglestone LAB  Chair of the Health and Care Overview & Scrutiny Panel •  Labour Party •  Bullbrook
Profile image for Councillor Jodie Watts  LAB
Councillor Jodie Watts LAB  Chair of the Education, Skills and Growth Overview and Scrutiny Panel •  Labour Party •  Harmans Water & Crown Wood
Profile image for Councillor Cherise Welch  LAB
Councillor Cherise Welch LAB  Labour Party •  Harmans Water & Crown Wood
Profile image for Councillor Janet Cochrane  LAB
Councillor Janet Cochrane LAB  Labour Party •  Hanworth
Profile image for CouncillorSophie Forster
Councillor Sophie Forster  Liberal Democrats •  Swinley Forest
Profile image for Councillor Gerry Webb  LAB
Councillor Gerry Webb LAB  Labour Party •  Great Hollands
Profile image for Councillor Tony Virgo  CON
Councillor Tony Virgo CON  Conservatives •  Winkfield & Warfield East
Profile image for Councillor John Harrison  CON
Councillor John Harrison CON  Conservatives •  Binfield North & Warfield West
Profile image for Councillor Sheila Collings  Green
Councillor Sheila Collings Green  The Green Party •  Binfield North & Warfield West
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