Residents in the local area can access new, improved sexual health services from Friday 1 August.
With four community-based clinics, a new website and helpline, Teesside Together’s team of expert clinicians are on hand to offer support to improve all areas of sexual health.
Services include clinics on both a referral and drop-in basis to offer advice, sexually transmitted infection testing and providing contraception.
The service will use the existing sexual health bases in Middlesbrough (Live Well Centre) and Redcar (Leisure and Community Heart Building), and new bases in Hartlepool (Park Towers) and Stockton (Endurance House).
Outreach
Each hub will serve as a centre for local outreach programmes and services delivered within their respective communities and will be working with 70 GP practices and approximately 100 community pharmacies across the region, providing emergency hormonal contraception.
Teesside Together also has a new website: www.teessidetogether.co.uk featuring advice and guidance as well as a new phone line: 01642 924 117.
Teesside Together is provided by the Tees Alliance Partnership, which is led by University Hospitals Tees, Hartlepool and Stockton Health and ELM GP Federation.
The new service will improve sexual health outcomes and support healthy sexual relationships across Tees.
Open conversations
Vicky Holt, director of nursing from Hartlepool and Stockton Health, commented:
“At Teesside Together, we are committed to ending the social stigma around sexual health.
“Open conversations around contraception, STI testing, and treatments for sexual health conditions can be difficult, but they are also necessary.
“You can talk to our team of experts about anything. We promise we’ve heard it all before.”
David Royal, medical director for ELM GP Federation said: “With four clinics offering appointments and a drop-in service, plus the support of our local GP and pharmacy network, Teesside Together is rooted in the community we are here to serve.
“It’s vital that we are accessible to local people so we can play our part in improving the sexual health of our region.”
The sexual health contract was awarded by the local authorities of Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland and is commissioned by NHS England and the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
Partnership
Matthew Wynne, University Hospitals Tees care group director, said: “Working in partnership with ELM and H&SH, the GPs and pharmacies, plus support of our commissioning bodies is key to the delivery of this local service.
“It’s a true partnership, with all members united in the common goal of improving the health of our region.”
Existing arrangements with pharmacy providing emergency hormonal contraception will continue.
Teesside Together contact details
Locations
• Middlesbrough, Live Well Centre
• Redcar, Leisure and Community Heart Building
• Hartlepool, Park Towers
• Stockton, Endurance House