It is now just over 3 years since we developed our first Hampshire-wide Sexual Health & HIV Strategy and started our journey to redesign local sexual health services in response to the needs identified in the Hampshire Sexual Health Needs Assessment 2009.

Significant progress has been made since then but there is more still to be done and 2013 will see significant changes in sexual health commissioning arrangements as well as a new national sexual health policy.   

This event aims to continue to involve local stakeholders in planning to improve sexual health in Hampshire by: 

• Providing an overview of the new national policy for sexual health
• Outlining the new commissioning arrangements for sexual health and outcome indicators
• Sharing current information on the sexual health of people in Hampshire and the progress that has been made to date
• Identifying what still needs to be done to improve sexual health in Hampshire & the priorities

The event takes place on Thursday the 7^th March 2013 from 9am to 12.30pm in Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, Winchester and is aimed at practitioners, managers and commissioners of local sexual health and HIV services and others involved in sexual health services.

Please note that lunch will not be provided but there is a café and a restaurant next to the hall and you are welcome to bring your own lunch.

 If you would like to attend please complete the form below and RSVP by Monday the 25^th February 2013 to abbie.twaits@hampshire.nhs.uk

 I hope you will be able to join us.

Rob Carroll, Public Health Manager Sexual Health Stakeholder Event Invitation

Nearly 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK

Did you know that it is 30 years since the first cases of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were reported?

By the end of 2011 there were around 96,000 people living with HIV in the UK and a 25% of them are undiagnosed, meaning that 25% do not know they have HIV.

6280 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2011. Nealy 50% of infections were acquired  heterosexually  and at least half of these were probably accquired in the UK (compared to only 27% in 2002).

An estimated 3010 of the newly diagnosed infections were made in men who have sex with men. This is highest number ever reported in a year.

HIV LIVES

Sexual Health Promotion Team (Solent NHS) have developed a number of real life stories of people whose lives have been affected by HIV.

Check out the campaign and stories at HIV LIVES

The HIV LIVES website also has information on HIV testing, finding local clinics and how to order free condoms from local services in Hampshire.

How much do you know about HIV?

If you’re having unprotected sex then you may find out more than you want to know.

HIV can be passed on through:

• unprotected sex (sex without a condom); through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid
• sharing infected needles and works
• from an HIV positive mother to her child during pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding

Anybody can become infected with HIV however men who have sex with men and people who have sexual partners from sub-Saharan Africa are most at risk and are encouraged to be tested for HIV on a regular basis.

There is no cure for HIV and no vaccine to prevent you from getting it.

A quarter of people with HIV in the UK don’t know they have it and many people diagnosed with this virus will be diagnosed late – AFTER the point at which they should have started treatment.

However, if you have had unprotected sex and are worried about HIV then a quick and simple test can be done at any of Hampshire’s sexual health clinics (GUM) and you can also request a test at your GP surgery.

REMEMBER – the earlier the diagnosis, the greater chance you have of living a longer and healthier life.

The only way to find out if you’ve got HIV is to be tested for it. You can ask your GP for an HIV test or attend a local GUM / sexual health clinic. Click here to find out more information about sexual health and to find out where your nearest clinic is or call 0300 300 2016.

Alternatively, you can either call ‘THT Direct’ on 0808 802 1221 Monday to Friday 10am – 10pm or go to their website –www.tht.org.uk for information, support and advice on HIV and sexual health.

Positive Action is a local organisation that provides emotional and practical support for individuals and families living in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton & Surrey who have been affected by HIV. Visit the Positive Action website to find out more their support.

• The provision of free condoms (using the GET IT ON C card) for 13-25 year olds
• Free chlamydia testing kits to young people 16-24 years old
• Free Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) service

All pharmacies providing these sexual health services are listed on the district pages on www.getiton.nhs.uk/districts

For information on how to access a GET IT ON C card please visit www.getiton.nhs.uk/free-condoms

To find out more about sexual health services in pharmacy click here

 If you need a sexual health clinic in Hampshire, Southampton or Portsmouth please visit www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk or call 0300 300 2016

We want you to know that you COME FIRST in all our services, whether that is getting a sexual health check up at one of our clinics, receiving a Chlamydia test,  or just receiving some advice or information.

The Come 1^st team will be out and about in Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire between now and September visiting pubs, clubs, youth projects and outdoor events.

You can order your Come 1^st Safer Sex pack by emailing Andrew Smith at Andrew.smith@solent.nhs. Stating your name, age and postal address.

If you are a professional and would like to receive resources please contact Maddie Torrie on madeline.torrie@solent.nhs.uk

Put yourself 1st and look after your sexual health!

Please remember that many sexual health services will be closed over the bank holiday period (4th & 5th June). Normal service will be resumed on Wednesday 6 June.

If you need to find a clinic visit www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk  or call 0300 300 2016

If you need access to Emergency Contraception (morning after pill) over the bank holiday you could go to a local pharamcy. Check the district pages on GET IT ON to find a participating pharmacy close to you. Please telephone first to make sure that the trained pharmacist is working and able to provide this service. We don’t you to have a wasted journey!

Sexual health clinics provide free emergency hormonal contraception (morning after pill) and some will also offer the emergency coil which can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Check out clinic opening times in your area – www.getiton.nhs.uk/districts or visit www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk

Your GP (family doctor) will also be able to offer advice and support with emergency contraception.

If you want to find out more about emergency contraception (morning after pill) click here

Remember that the sooner you act the better as emergency contraception is more effective at preventing a pregnancy the earlier you take it after having unprotected sex.

All types of Sexual Health services are listed. Whether you are preparing for a relationship, concerned about an infection or dealing with the unexpected there is a service that can help you.

Being sexually healthy is about having the skills, confidence and knowledge to take care of yourself and others. Safer sex is about making choices about the sex you are having and the contraception you use to protect yourself against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).

Call 0300 300 2016 if you want to find out about local sexual health services in Hampshire or visit www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk

If you live outside of Hampshire and are looking for details of your nearest services then visit nhs choices to find out more.

For sexual health services in Southampton visit – www.protectyourself.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 7399

For sexual health services in the Isle of Wight visit – www.wish-net.co.uk

For sexual health services in Portsmouth visit – www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk or www.areyousorted.co.uk

For sexual health services in Bournemouth & Poole visit – www.f-risky.co.uk

For sexual health services in Surrey visit – www.SurreySexualHealth.nhs.uk

If you are a parent and want support on talking about sex with your son or daughter visit http://www.familylives.org.uk

From Monday 16 January 2012, specialist Sexual Health Services in Hampshire are changing and can be accessed via a single point of access telephone number: 0300 300 2016

 Solent NHS Trust is the new provider of integrated specialist sexual health services across Hampshire, Portsmouth & Southampton bringing together a range of different sexual health services which are currently provided by organisations including Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Basingstoke Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust, bpas and Marie Stopes International.

This new service is the result of detailed work undertaken by NHS Hampshire to redesign and integrate local sexual health services in response to identified needs and extensive public and stakeholder engagement. 

Solent NHS Trust, working in partnership with bpas, will be providing a complete range of integrated sexual health services at convenient community-based locations using a Consultant-led hub and nurse-delivered spoke model. This means that most people will be able to have their sexual health needs assessed and in some cases met in one visit.

The range of services includes:

• all methods of contraception,
• STI testing & treatment,
• HIV testing & treatment,
• termination of pregnancy services,
• pregnancy testing,
• emergency contraception,
• chlamydia screening,
• psychosexual counselling (current provision will be extended across Hampshire from April 2012),
• sexual health promotion and
• vasectomy services in partnership with current GP vasectomy providers.

Outreach services and designated clinics for young people in colleges and other young people’ settings will also continue to be provided.

The new Integrated Sexual Health Service will be primarily nurse delivered, supported by onward referral to Consultants and Specialists as required.

From 16 January 2012, ‘Sexual Health: Hampshire, Portsmouth & Southampton’ will be accessible to people via a single phone number: 0300 300 2016. People will only need to remember one phone number to access any sexual health service in Hampshire, Portsmouth or Southampton (including unplanned pregnancy services). 

Solent NHS Trust will be advertising clinics and opening times with a wide-spread media campaign and have created a new website for all Sexual Health Services across Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. We would be grateful if you could please update any details you have on your website for Sexual Health Services to www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk in addition to the NHS Hampshire sexual health website www.getiton.nhs.uk.

We also ask that you amend your phone numbers for Sexual Health Services to 0300 300 2016 from the 16^th January 2012.

If you would like to find out more about the new sexual health services please read the attached letter from Rob Carroll, Sexual Health Lead for NHS Hampshire New Level 3 Sexual Health Service Notification Letter 09.01.12

 All the logos for the new sexual health service on this site will provide a link through to www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk  so click on the logo to access the new website

The attached files show which pharmacies are open over the bank holidays, how long for and those in GREEN highlight the pharmacies that currently offer free emergency contraception.  However please do not assume that the trained pharmacist will be available during the holiday opening times.  Our advice is to call the pharmacy first to find out if there will be someone there to help. We don’t want you to have a wasted journey or a stressful holiday, so phone first!

The South East PDF files contains information on pharmacies in: Havant; Waterlooville; Petersfield; Gosport; Fareham; and Lee on Solent:

Christmas Opening South East 2011 Final

New Year Opening South East 2012 Final

The South West PDF file contains information on pharmacies in: Andover; Eastleigh; Botley; Hedge End; Winchester & Romsey

Christmas Opening South West 2011 Final

New Year Opening South West 2012 Final

The New Forest PDF file contains information on pharmacies in: New Forest, Totton & the Waterside

Christmas Opening New Forest 2011 Final

New Year Opening New Forest 2012 Final

The North Hants PDF file contains information on pharmacies in: Aldershot; Farnborough; Blackwater; Yateley; Basingstoke; Fleet; and Alton

Christmas Opening North 2011 Final

New Year Opening North 2012 Final

Please also remember that contraception and sexual health clinics will be open in between the Bank Holidays and that all clinics offer free emergency hormonal contraception and some will also offer the emergency coil which can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Check out clinic opening times in your area – www.getiton.nhs.uk/districts 

Your GP (family doctor) will also be able to offer advice and support with emergency contraception.

If you want to find out more about emergency contraception (morning after pill) click here

Remember that the sooner you act the better as emergency contraception is more effective at preventing a pregnancy the earlier you take it after having unprotected sex.

BPAS are offering an advanced emergency contraception service for women over 16 in England. Follow the link for details – www.bpas.org/bpaswoman/ec-how-it-works. Please do not rely on this postal service if you have already had unprotected sex as the postal service will be distrupted over the holiday period.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – have fun, be safe!

From the GET IT ON Team

Click here for more information about emergency contraception.

Condoms are available to young people free wherever you see this sign in Hampshire.

Condoms are one of the most effective contraceptive methods and help to protect against sexually transmitted infection and unplanned pregnancies

Used correctly and consistently, condoms are up to 99% effective. Condoms can be used for oral, vaginal and anal sex and condoms come in all shapes, sizes and flavours. To find out more about what to look out for on your condoms and how to use condoms effectively visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/contraception/pages/condoms.aspx

The GET IT ON condom distribution scheme is now running across Hampshire.

It means that you can get free condoms if you are under 25 from lots of different organisations, all you have to do is see a trained worker so make sure you call in advance to check that they are there.

Click here for a list of organisations that provide free condoms.