New UKHSA STI Prioritisation Framework provides important step towards a comprehensive national sexual health strategy

10 October 2024 (Last updated: 10 Oct 2024 09:51)

Today, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published a new STI Prioritisation Framework (Framework), setting out an evidence-based approach to help guide local organisations in planning and delivering sexual health services.

Drawing on best available evidence and input from an extensive stakeholder engagement programme, the Framework outlines a set of twelve guiding principles that are designed to steer local priority-setting for sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and control, against a challenging current financial backdrop. Rooted in a public health approach, these guiding principles aim to shift the focus of STI control efforts towards reducing adverse health outcomes and addressing health inequalities, through three-prongs: ‘Situation; Target Groups; Interventions’.

Responding to the publication of the new Framework, Professor Matt Phillips, BASHH President, commented:

"This new STI Prioritisation Framework provides a hugely welcome new tool that can actively support our ongoing efforts to reverse growing rates of sexual infection and provide high-quality, compassionate care to all those who need it. BASHH has been particularly pleased to work with UKHSA on the development of the Framework, and we welcome its recognition of both the considerable challenges we are currently facing, as well as the importance of ensuring that our expert sexual health workforce receives the support it needs in order to meet these challenges head on.  

While the Framework lays a firm foundation, its publication reinforces the importance of the Government committing to a long-term national sexual health strategy, supported by investment to meet growing and changing population needs. As set out within BASHH’s Four Priorities for the New Government, we have a unique opportunity to embed a positive and ambitious vision for the future of sexual health across the healthcare system, and the time to do so is now.”

Building on this framework with a national approach will help sexual health professionals to better safeguard the health of vulnerable groups and the population at large. With the right political will and sustained collaboration, we have the opportunity to embed long-term solutions into the delivery of sexual health services across the UK and reduce prevailing health inequalities.”

The STI Prioritisation Framework publication can be found here.

BASHH’s ‘Four Priorities for the New Government’ can be found here.

For any further information, or to request an interview with a BASHH spokesperson, please contact bashh@mandfhealth.com