30.01.13
Sexual health ‘crisis’ could cost NHS over £600m
Cuts to contraceptive services could cost the NHS millions in unplanned pregnancies, additional abortions and increased numbers of STIs, a new report warns.
‘Unprotected Nation’ was commissioned by sexual health charities Brook and the Family Planning Association (FPA). The report claims that over the next seven years, sustained cuts could cost the NHS £300m for unplanned pregnancies and £315m for 365,000 extra STIs.
The higher birth rate could cost taxpayers as much as £125bn, and the cuts to contraception and sexual services could lead to an additional 22,000 abortions in the UK by 2020.
The report suggests that some commissioners are restricting access to contraceptive services on the basis of age or place of residence, which could lead to extra costs.
Simon Blake, chief executive of Brook, said: “This report makes very clear just how short-sighted restrictions to contraception services are – particularly for young people who have to navigate this void alongside a black hole in sex and relationships education programmes.”
Dr Audrey Simpson, acting chief executive of the FPA, said: “Unplanned pregnancy and STIs have obvious costs to people's health and well-being, but the heavy financial costs to the NHS and welfare state are also real and serious.
“The wheels of this crisis are firmly in motion. Investment in sexual health saves money, but if national and local government ignore the warnings and continue stripping away services, advice and information, the bleak predictions in this report will come true.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “Sexual health services are vital in preventing STIs and unwanted pregnancies and will remain free.
“We are changing the way we deal with public health by giving local councils a ring-fenced budget, which amounts to a real terms increase in funding for every council, so they can improve sexual health in their communities and make links to other vital services like housing, education and family support. We will set our detailed plans on sexual health services shortly.”
The March/April 2013 edition of NHE will feature a special focus on the public health transition to local government. Health professionals can subscribe at www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/Subscribe
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