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ENHANCING SEXUAL WELLBEING IN SCOTLAND - A SEXUAL HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS STRATEGY: Analysis of Written Responses to the Public Consultation
CHAPTER 15: DATA COLLECTION, STAFFING, AND OTHER RESOURCES
DATA COLLECTION
The National Sexual Health Advisory Committee should consider the proposals developed by ISD for potential adoption as a national data collection framework ISD and SCIEH, working with relevant stakeholders, should implement the revised STI Surveillance Systems |
15.1 Data collection proposals were only discussed by Health Professionals who were generally supportive of the notion that better data was required. Most comments related to the way data collection should be approached and some of the specific actions required to ensure quality data.
15.2 It was noted that any rigorous data collection would require investment in IT systems to facilitate data collection and that the proposed data collection should be expanded.
"The infrastructure for data collection is very weak across the majority of services in Scotland, due to lack of support and investment over many years and failure, in respect of many NHS Boards and Trusts, to fund appropriate IT systems. This must surely be a major area for action." (Medical Health)
"Data collection would be facilitated by electronic patient records - the implementation of which should be funded by central funding (Medical Health)
"Investment in data collection should not just focus on GUM clinics. Need to gather detailed information about all diagnosed with STIs." (Medical Health)
15.3 It was also felt that there was a need for clarity in identifying any legal issues associated with data collection and data protection - e.g. would the law protect the confidentiality of a child under 16 years if a parent demanded information about them? (Social Health)
15.4 Further areas where enhanced data collection or research were required were discussed by respondents. For example, it was suggested that there is a need for more focused research on sexual behaviour - perhaps by extending the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey or commissioning other survey work.
15.5 Additionally, one of the Health Professionals thought that a national project should report on the economic and clinical impact of the universal adoption of STI diagnostic tests.
15.6 Some issues were raised in relation to the role GUM clinics will play in co-ordinating surveillance and data collection. It was noted that, as they are already hard-pressed, they will require extra resources for this.
STAFFING AND OTHER RESOUCES
15.7 Over half of the Health Professional respondents commented specifically on staffing and resources, the considerable majority of whom were concerned about whether the necessary level of funding and resources would be available. It was felt that the Draft Strategy was vague about whether, and how much, additional funding would be available and what the nature of this funding would be (e.g. short or long-term). There was also a feeling among some respondents that the voluntary sector had been left out of the service delivery models.
"Additional funding and resources are essential." (Social Health)
"What will it cost? How will it be funded? Who will pay" (Education and Young People)
"The voluntary sector have largely been ignored." (Social Health)
"The approach is too NHS based with not enough roles for other agencies." (Social Health)
The Scottish Executive should provide resources to NHS Boards to "pump prime" the initial implementation stages of this strategy |
15.8 There were particular concerns that 'pump-priming' would not be adequate and that longer-term sustainable funding would be required for effective implementation of the Strategy. All were in agreement that additional funding was necessary, especially as sexual health services are currently perceived to be under-resourced.
"There is currently gross under-provision of GUM consultants" (Medical Health)
"Additional long-term funding will be required." (Social Health)
"Our main concern is the expectation that this service can be encouraged and developed with only pump-priming monies" (Medical Health)
"…resources should be available to variety of statutory and voluntary organisations and not only NHS Boards. If the anticipated benefits of this strategy are to be met, then the full costs of implementation will require not only to be met, but to be distributed to the key agencies (including the voluntary sector) concerned with its implementation." (Faith Groups)
"Successful implementation of the proposed strategy demands increased resources in many areas of sexual health but especially for genitourinary medicine services. (…) GUM services across Scotland (where they exist) are universally over-subscribed and have either unacceptably long waiting times of up to several weeks or unsustainably busy walk-in services." (Medical Health)
"Whilst the draft includes clear recognition of the vital role primary care has to play in the implementation of this Strategy, we cannot stress enough that there are not the training, leadership or resources currently available to implement its key findings". (Medical Health)
NHS Health Scotland, through the Sexual Health & Wellbeing Learning Network and in conjunction with other key stakeholders, should develop implementation guidance, particularly in relation to the service tiered intervention approach, links between schools and services and information/data collection, so that these will be available as part of the implementation process of this strategy |
15.9 Guidance was welcomed.
The Scottish Executive should continue the ring fenced allocation of HIV monies to NHS Boards and assess the sufficiency of this funding against the need to respond to rising HIV trends |
15.10 The importance of maintaining ring-fenced resources for HIV was noted by several Health Professionals although some respondents were disappointed that the SE had not implemented the new formula for HIV allocation.
"New formulas for HIV funding, consulted on in 2002, should be implemented and an uplift to cover inflation during 3 years of standstill budget should be made available." (Medical Health)
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