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ENHANCING SEXUAL WELLBEING IN SCOTLAND - A SEXUAL HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS STRATEGY: Analysis of Written Responses to the Public Consultation
CHAPTER 12: REACHING THOSE IN NEED OF SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES
To ensure that there is a consistent approach throughout Scotland, all staff undertaking partner notification should subscribe to the practice guidelines and professional standards currently followed by sexual health advisers |
12.1 While it was agreed by Health Professionals that partner notification has a key role in controlling and reducing STIs, there were some concerns relating to resourcing the staffing and training required.
"Improving and prioritising partner notification is an important step in preventing the spread of STIs" (Medical Health)
"Training the large number of eventual providers in partner notification will be extremely difficult without substantial investment in existing GUM services." (Medical Health)
"A Health Advisor would need to be employed solely for the community to deal with partner notification and for co-ordinating the service. It is not clear where money for this will come from. (Medical Health)
12.2 There were also issues raised in relation to consistency of service across Scotland and it was suggested that there needs to be a review of nursing and health advisor roles (and the training of each) to ensure a more consistent approach.
"The role of SH advisors and nurses working in the specialist field are not consistent throughout Scotland. In some specialist areas nurses have this as an area or responsibility where in other area there are teams of SH advisors." (Medical Health)
12.3 It was suggested that as part of their holistic sexual health care provision, nurses and midwives could offer this provision as this would allow fewer patient contacts with different personnel.
The Scottish Executive should support a pilot project for victims of sexual assault and rape. This should include forensic services, appropriate counselling and medical follow-up on a multi-disciplinary basis in order to test its appropriateness in the Scottish context |
12.4 Few responses referred to this recommendation, but those that did were largely positive.
The Sexual Health & Wellbeing Learning Network, in conjunction with appropriate organisations and the National Resource Centre for Ethnic Minority Health, should develop guidance for practitioners on FGM, taking account of forthcoming legislation Local Authorities should update their child protection guidance/training to include issues relating to FGM FGM should be considered as part of parent education programmes, if appropriate |
12.5 Few responses referred to the recommendations relating to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the key points to note are as follows:
"Since the strategy was written, new legislation has been enacted at a UK level, which rewrites the 1985 legislation for England and Wales. The FGM Act 2003 received Royal Assent in October 2003, and is now enacted. FGM is a criminal offence (as it was under the 1985 Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act, and we understand it is still in force in Scotland). The 2003 Act increases the maximum penalty, on conviction on indictment, from 1 to 5 years imprisonment. The Act also has extra territorial effect. However, it applies only to England and Wales, and our concern is that legislation in Scotland is now weaker than is appropriate. Whilst supporting the proposals in the proposed strategy for Scottish research and education, we strongly urge the Scottish Executive to bring forward the appropriate legislation that will give extra territorial effect and introduce the longer sentencing options on conviction." (Equalities)
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"This is a highly significant issue and such guidance would be welcomed, with supporting training and awareness raising about the immense health impact that FGM has on women and girls. It is important to situate this topic in the context of gender-based violence and not to perceive it as merely a cultural issue." (Equalities)
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