Launch of the Sexual Health Learning Network

In his introductory session, Dr Andrew Fraser, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Executive spoke about the need for the promotion of sexual health in a positive way. << Read more in this report>>

16 JANUARY 2003, STIRLING MANAGEMENT CENTRE
In his introductory session, Dr Andrew Fraser, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Executive spoke about the need for the promotion of sexual health in a positive way and how promotion and awareness should be aimed at everyone in society, including those with disabilities, learning difficulties and older people, as well as those more usually thought to be at risk, such as young people and homosexuals. It should also be included when dealing with issues such as alcohol and drugs as substance misuse is clearly responsible for a great deal of poor sexual practice.


Dr Fraser explained the Sexual Health Learning Network has been funded for three years in order to help stop the dramatic rise in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, gonorrhoea, genital warts and HIV. There is concern that complacency has set it after the first panics and warnings, leading to an increase in risky sexual behaviour. The Network also wants to reduce the rise in unwanted and teenage pregnancies.The Executive want to develop a more open culture where people talk more about sex, are more liberal about the sexual health of other groups and for teachers to be happier with the material in schools.

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Dr Fraser said that in order to do this the Network has to learn, to exchange views and experiences and to showcase good practice. Shirley Fraser, the Network's Co-ordinator spoke about its remit and aims. These are as follows:

• To establish a support network of interested individuals and organisations to improve Scotland's sexual health
• To prevent ill health by the promotion of good sexual health
• To promote positive sexual health, using our own previous experiences e.g. From previous programmes like "Healthy Respect", and the experiences of other countries.
• To bring together evidence of effectiveness of knowledge and translate into practice, to merge systematic evidence with practical know-how.
• To produce guidance resources
• To act as a catalyst for change

After the presentations delegates were divided into workshop groups and discussion included:

• what the priorities should be
• whether the Network should concentrate on prevention, treatment or both
• the target groups
• where, how and who to educate, taking into account parental rights/choice in the case of younger children

Each workshop had a mix of people from various agencies, each with their own clear ideas and agendas, which meant there was little real consensus.

What I personally took away from the day was that this project is still very much in the infancy stage of planning.
I do not know when the three year funding starts, but it is clear that there is a lot of discussion to be done with regards to how they are going to run the Network, who is going to be involved before they get to the stage of deciding who, what their priorities are in terms of target groups and whether to prioritise treatment or prevention via education.
There does seem to be a lot of enthusiasm and commitment from those involved at this stage and clearly the Executive is giving the project high priority and profile.

Report by Fiona Kelly
 

More on the website of the Public Health Institute of Scotland.

 

16 Jan 2003