Sexual Health JSNA

What is being done and why

Nationally

All Our Health

The All Our Health Framework provides guidance supporting healthcare professionals in promoting sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention using a whole-system approach. The core principles are that sexual health is about wellbeing, not just the absence of disease; everyone has the right to safe, respectful, and informed sexual experiences; and poor sexual health can lead to serious consequences like unplanned pregnancies, STIs, HIV and infertility.

The framework advises that healthcare professionals should:

  • Provide non-judgemental, empathetic care
  • Promote contraceptive options, STI/HIV testing, and healthy relationships
  • Use every contact to raise awareness and offer support
  • Ensure confidential, easy access to services, especially for young people and high-risk groups.

System-level actions:

  • Ensure services offer comprehensive contraception and STI-HIV testing
  • Promote partner notification and condom distribution
  • Target services to high-risk populations and reduce stigma.

Understanding local needs:

  • Use sexual health profiles and data tools to assess local needs and service effectiveness
  • Monitor indicators like STI rates, HIV prevalence and contraceptive use.

National SARC Awareness Campaign (2025)9

The campaign was launched during Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week (February 2025) and aims to raise awareness of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). It promotes access to free, confidential support for survivors.

July 2025 National Guidance on RSHE and advising schools what needs to be included in this10.

National guidance on ending HIV transmission by 2030- update to be released 202511.

Regionally

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)

Available 24/7 across the region including: The Angel Centre Teesside, The Meadows and The Bridgeway. Offering services in crisis care, forensic medical exams, emergency contraception, STI testing and access to Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.

Involvement in Cleveland sexual harm network and supporting terms of reference for the group and how to embed this awareness into all sexual health services and education as a whole.

Regional Syphilis action planning, Teesside syphilis action plan to tackle increasing rates of STI diagnosis in Teesside partnership (Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesborough and Redcar.

Regional ICB communications work around sexual health, young people, sexual health prevention and reducing STI’s has commenced with concepts in design and trail phase to be shared publicly when completed.

Regional commissioning meetings to ensure learning from other areas to address any concerns regarding sexual health.

Locally

Tees Alliance Partnership Sexual Health Service (Teesside Together)12

01642 924117

The Partnership covers Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland and has been awarded a £3.9 million contract starting 1st August 2025. It is led by University Hospital Tees, Hartlepool & Stockton Health and ELM GP Federation. Services include:

  • Drop-in and referral-based clinics
  • STI testing and treatment
  • Contraceptive services
  • Outreach programmes
  • Support via 70 GP practices and 100 community pharmacies
  • New digital offer with website and a helpline.