Consultation and Engagement
This section is used to summarise the views of the public, dedicated groups and service users. It can make use of formal assessment of views, such as obtained from surveys, feedback meetings and focus groups.
Strategic Issue 1
Hartlepool Youth Voices conducted a behavioural insight project looking at current awareness and perceived access to sexual health services for young people.
About RSHE (Relationship, Sexual Health education):
“I don’t remember being taught anything in school”
“I think they stopped teaching it”
“We saw the tea video about consent it wasn’t helpful”
“Everything is catholic focussed Virtues”
Around social media and digital use:
“Social media can be really damaging”
“At 14 you should be aware internet can be quite graphic and bad”
Concerns with messaging around STI ‘s and teenage pregnancy
“We do not know what they are and what they do we just call everything ‘the clap’”
“Some girls want a baby anyway”
“People just aren’t bothered about getting an STI”
“I think girls rely on the injections and implant and are just bothered about not getting pregnant”
Through responses to Hartlepool's "Big Conversation", residents have expressed a need for support for young people.
“…younger people are struggling to do things without support – accessing services etc. This makes them vulnerable to other things such as drugs, alcohol, violence etc. [It is] Life limiting living in those conditions… how to properly help them, getting them out and about and meeting people?” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
Strategic Issue 2 and 3
Through the Big Conversation, residents of Hartlepool have expressed concerns with accessing services. Although this is not directly related to Sexual Health and Contraceptive services, the picture is likely across multiple service types and therefore relevant.
- When asked ‘What would make Hartlepool a better place to live?’ 44 respondents said ‘Bring back hospital services’, 23 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services.
- When asked ‘Thinking about making Hartlepool a better place to live, what actions do you think that residents, the Council and other organisations could take together to make a difference?’ 32 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services.
- When survey respondents were asked “what would help to improve your personal health and wellbeing” 123 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.
- When asked for “one thing that you think would make Hartlepool a better place to live in 5 years’ time” 35 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.