Funding boost announced to improve contraception access

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo has announced a 26.8 million pound funding boost to improve young people’s access to contraception.

The drive was confirmed at the launch of a new charity, the Association for Young People’s Health, with the money to be used to help reduce the number of teenage pregnancies.

Local health teams will receive the extra money to extend outreach work with women of all ages where a range of methods of contraception are promoted.

Nearly 15 million pounds will be allocated to Strategic Health Authorities who propose innovative new ways of helping young people get improved access to sexual health advice and contraception.

The Department of Health has outlined several initiatives in which the money could be used, including schemes to offer contraception and more information at abortion clinics as well as introducing condom kiosks at pharmacies.

Ms Primarolo indicated that improving contraception access was just one part of the government’s strategy on sexual health.

“We are working to educate young people about the dangers of STIs [sexually transmitted infections] and will be launching a new national information campaign later in the year on the range of contraceptive choices available to young people,” she outlined.

Britain’s teenage pregnancy rate, though falling, remains the highest in Western Europe.