Split in commissioning between local authorities and health bodies is reducing access to sexual health services

Sexual health outcomes in England are at risk of deteriorating because of “fragmented” commissioning and lack of leadership in the system, experts told a conference.

Jane Hatfield, chief executive of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, said that poor access to contraception services was causing concern and could lead to more unplanned teenage pregnancies and abortions.

She said, “There is a lack of leadership in the current fragmented structures and a lack of a strong patient voice.”

Hatfield said that well supported contraception services were important and offered women a chance to talk to health professionals about wider personal health matters.

She said that her faculty was hearing complaints about local authorities limiting or restricting …