Sexual health: policy context

Discussion of this topic can be found on page 2 of Scotland's Sexual Health Information (SSHI) report, 2010.

Respect and responsibility: Strategy and action plan for improving sexual health was published by the Scottish Government in 2005. This strategy was supported by an extra investment of £15 million over the three financial years April 2005 to March 2008 and an additional £15 million has also been invested to support the strategy until 2011. In this second phase, the focus is shifting towards achieving cultural and behavioural change.  Respect and Responsibility: Delivering Improvements in Sexual Health Outcomes 2008-2011 details actions across four broad themes: knowledge and awareness; leadership, co-ordination and performance management; standards and service provision; and young people.

The improving detection and diagnosis of HIV in non-HIV specialties (including Primary Care) was highlighted in improving the detection and diagnosis of HIV in non-HIV specialties (including Primary Care)  (72kB), published October 2007.

An HIV Action Plan in Scotland, December 2009 to March 2014 was published in November 2009 and aims to prevent HIV transmission and to provide high quality treatment and care to all those who require it.

NHS QIS Sexual Health Services Standards were published in April 2008.

NHS Scotland National Sexual Health System (NaSH) is the clinical management system which is being developed to support sexual health services throughout Scotland. This is part of the NHS Scotland National eHealth Strategy.

  • The NaSH system is initially intended for use in the genitourinary medicine (GUM) and sexual and reproductive health clinics.
  • Eventually, it may be used in other settings providing sexual health care, for example Primary Care.
  • The system is currently being rolled out throughout Scotland.
  • In addition to providing an electronic patient record for sexual health, the system will provide secondary data for national reporting.

Further information on sexual health policy in Scotland is available on the Scottish Government website.