15 September 2010
Young people from across Sutton and Merton can access confidential, non-judgemental and impartial sexual health advice easier than ever before, thanks to a new walk-in clinic at St Helier Hospital.
Lindsey Carpenter is a sexual health advisor in the genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic at St Helier. She said: "The clinic, which is known as The Point, aims to give young people aged 18 and under all the sexual health and contraception advice and support that they might need."
The initiative comes as recent figures from the Health Protection Agency show 15 to 24 year olds continue to be the group most affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK.
Over 50% of diagnosed cases are from this age group, many are 18 and under, and of all the 15 - 24 year olds diagnosed with an STI last year, around one in 10 will become re-infected within a year.
The Point is designed to help break this cycle by educating young people about sex and relationships, and cut down on the increasing numbers of unplanned pregnancies and STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, that are being seen in young sexually active people.
The Point offers a full range of sexual health services including the testing and treatment of STIs, pregnancy testing, and access to a range of contraception. It also gives young people a space to think about, and discuss, issues that they might find difficult to discuss with other people, for instance family and friends.
Lindsey added: "There are clear consequences when young people are not given advice and information about sex, and that's where we come in. We offer a confidential, non-judgemental service that can help young people make informed decisions about sex."
The opening hours of The Point are every Wednesday from 3pm - 5pm. The clinic operates on a walk-in basis, so no appointment is required.
For anyone wanting advice on sexual health there is a confidential advice line run by the clinic, open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm on 020 8641 1256.
