BASHH

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has published a report externally reviewing the performance of all Scottish NHS Boards against the 2008 Standards for Sexual Health Services in Scotland. Colleagues in Scotland have been heavily informed in this review and it has identified where significant progress has been made as well as challenges for the future. It will also be of interest to all BASHH members as it it documents progress against performance indicators and outcomes that were developed with public involvement.

The report is available on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org./programmes/reproductive,_maternal__child/sexual_health/sexual_health_services_no.aspx

There is also a link for local reports from the external review visits to every Health Board.

The document reports the key themes from the review against the standards and highlights that NHS boards have made significant progress in  raising the profile of sexual health services,  improving the individual's experience, and  providing more suitable accommodation for clinics. It is clear that a strong strategic lead from Scottish Government and the supported development of a funded infrastructure is now showing improved access to high quality person-centred sexual health care. However, there are areas where further improvements can be made. Most notably partner notification systems need to be improved in a number of NHS boards. There is also further work need to address local data analysis/audit, sexual health information needs, hepatitis B vaccination of MSM in non-specialist settings and universal access to local specialist services.

Dr Rak Nandwani