Help shape sexual health services in Cheshire West and Chester
This engagement exercise is now closed.
Thank you to everyone who took part.
Your views are really important and what you've told us will help shape future plans for sexual health services in Cheshire West and Chester.
A report which summarises your feedback will be published here shortly, alongside feedback on any decisions taken and next steps.
We are holding a borough-wide engagement to help develop sexual health services for residents.
We are keen to hear your views on the current services available - what things we are doing well and what could be improved.
All responses will be anonymous and confidential, and no personal details will be shared. Any reports from the questionnaire will be anonymous. However, if there are any questions you do not wish to answer, please feel free to leave them blank.
The closing date for views is 7 April 2024.
Why we are asking for people’s views
Most of the adult population of England are sexually active and access to good quality sexual health services improves the health and wellbeing of both individuals and populations.
Evidence shows that prompt and easy access to good quality sexual and reproductive health services reduces the number of unplanned pregnancies and incidents of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Currently, a range of non-judgemental and confidential sexual health services are provided for residents across the Borough which supports the needs of local population.
Current services
Current services which the Council commissions for sexual and reproductive health are:
HCRG Care Group provides specialist, community based sexual and reproductive health services in Cheshire West and Chester for residents of any age. This includes free and confidential information and advice on all types of contraception and STIs testing and treatment.
Specialist sexual health services are currently delivered from a main hub at the Fountains in Chester with satellite services which are delivered across the borough in Winsford, Northwich and Ellesmere Port and Neston. Services can be accessed via booking an appointment online or by phone and walk in clinics are in place so people can drop into clinics without making an appointment.
The outreach service, provided by the organisation Body Positive, offers sexual health promotion, information, and advice to reduce stigma associated with STIs, HIV and unplanned pregnancy, regardless of sexual orientation and identity.
This also includes delivery of services for people in more vulnerable groups including young people, men who have sex with men (MSM) and the LGBTQ+ community, including rapid access to services. Outreach services work also work in schools and colleges across the borough.
GPs in Primary Care are commissioned to deliver Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) and chlamydia screening as part of the NCSP (National Chlamydia Screening Programme) for women aged 14 – 25 years of age.
Pharmacy Emergency Hormonal Contraception is a free service for women to access emergency contraception from local pharmacies across the borough.
You can have your say by answering a few short questions. Even if you have never used any of these services, we still want to hear your views.
Share your views
This engagement work is being undertaken by the Council’s Public Health team. There are a range of ways for you can take part and share your views:
- Complete the online survey
- Email views to: PublicHealth@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- By telephone: 0300 123 8123
- Complete an easy read survey below and return by email to PublicHealth@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Easy read survey
- By letter: Cheshire West and Chester Council, Insight and Intelligence Team, The Portal. Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA
- Request a copy of our questionnaire in alternative formats including paper and easy read, using the contact details above.
This engagement period is open until 7 April 2024.
What happens next
After this engagement ends, feedback will be carefully considered by Council staff and elected members and used to shape our future commissioning plans for the service.
Privacy Notice
If you would like to know more about how we use and store the information you give us, you can visit our privacy notice page.
Accessibility
Council information is also available in audio, braille, large print or other formats. If you would like a copy in a different format, in another language or require a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, please contact us:
- Email: equalities@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Telephone: 0300 123 8 123
- Textphone: 18001 01606 867670