New councillors urged to make sexual health a priority
A YOUTH leader has urged the fresh intake of Highland councillors to make better sexual health services for teenagers in the region an urgent priority.
Voters went to the polls yesterday to elect a new Highland Council and its 80 members will meet for the first time on May 17 when a ruling administration will take the reins of power for a five-year term.
Stuart Davidson, the Highland youth convener, has called for the next local authority to support the creation of drop-in clinics for young people with concerns about contraception, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
He added it was a huge issue for young Highlanders who found it daunting to access traditional sexual health support because they live in close-knit communities. The convener, who is a full member of the council’s education, culture and sport committee, said young people were worried about being "spotted" by people they knew, including relatives, if they attend medical surgeries, hospitals and pharmacies for advice, despite the confidentially they are guaranteed.
"There is little anonymity for them and they are worried they could bump into either their mum or auntie or dad at reception," said Mr Davidson.
"They get the sexual advice from schools but when they want to get the nitty-gritty information they don’t feel comfortable going to their local hospital, the GP or pharmacies.
"These issues are affecting people not only on a day-to-day basis but on an hour-to-hour basis."
A free sexual health drop-in service has already been established in Inverness. It offers chlamydia testing, abortion advice and emergency contraception and is run by the Brook Advisory Centre for people aged under 25.
Highland Youth Forum members in Nairn are trying to set up a similar facility in the town and have applied for funding.
It would be held on the same night as the youth club to avoid any potential stigma of young people attending separately, said Mr Davidson, who added they want services which were informal and independent of the NHS.
Meanwhile, the ever-increasing issue of unemployment among young people will be debated at the Highland Youth Voice conference in June on Skye.
A mini jobs fair will also be hosted at the region’s youth parliament, which has 100 elected members, while representatives from Global Energy Group are also expected to attend.
The company has established a skills apprenticeships academy at the former oil rig fabrication yard at Nigg in Easter Ross, which could lead to thousands of jobs being created as a service hub for the renewable industry is set up.