Enhancing Sexual Wellbeing in Scotland: A Sexual Health and Relationships Strategy: Proposal to the Scottish Executive
Covering letter
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to invite your comments on a draft National Sexual Health and Relationships Strategy, a copy of which is attached. It has been prepared under the guidance of an expert Reference Group. In the light of your comments, the Executive will finalise the Strategy and then arrange for its progressive implementation. How you can set about responding is described below. I hope you will take the opportunity to comment. The comments of parents, young people and individuals as well as those submitted by organisations and professional bodies are all important to us in helping to ensure that the final strategy is a fair reflection of the views of people in Scotland.
Background
Promoting positive sexual health is a key challenge in Scotland today. Sexual wellbeing is not just the absence of disease but includes an intricate range of ethical, cultural and social issues. It also touches on our responsibilities as individuals and to each other, our values and relationships.
The reality is that sexual health in Scotland remains poor. Sexually transmitted infections, such as Chlamydia are widespread and increasing, while teenage conceptions are amongst the highest in Western Europe. Teenagers in the most deprived areas are three times more likely to become pregnant than their counterparts in the most affluent parts of the country.
That is why our Partnership Agreement promised we would develop and implement a National Sexual Health Strategy. As a first step in the process we set up, in August 2002, an expert Reference Group to guide the development of a national strategy for Scotland, with particular reference to measures -
to reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections
to enhance the provision of sexual health services, and
to promote a broad understanding of sexual health and sexual relationships that encompasses emotions, attitudes and social context.
The Reference Group included experts from the field of sexual health services and education as well as representatives from voluntary organisations and religious groups. In addition to their specific expertise, members also brought with them their experiences as parents and individuals. Preparation of the draft strategy was informed by international and national evidence, as well as research specifically commissioned for the purpose.
The Group has come up with a comprehensive and positive report but I am keenly aware of the many views which exist in Scotland on this complex issue. That is why the Scottish Executive is embarking on this wide-ranging consultation.
The key objectives for Scottish Ministers are to have a sexual health strategy that is rooted in self-respect, respect for others and recognises the importance of strong, respectful relationships.
Consultation Process
The draft Strategy has been published in the form submitted to the Scottish Executive, and your views are invited on it. There are over 100 recommendations. Not all of them may be of relevance or interest to you. So please do not feel obliged to comment on every one. But we would be very glad to receive comments on however many you wish to address.
We would be particularly interested to know if you think the strategy provides an acceptable framework for improving sexual health in Scotland or whether there are any points or issues you feel should be given greater or less emphasis. Please feel free as well to give us your views on any matters which you feel may not have been covered adequately or which you consider have been overlooked. We would be grateful if you would structure your comments according to the Sexual Health and Relationships draft Strategy chapters, as this will allow us to consider and analyse all responses in a comprehensive and prompt manner.
A web version of the draft Strategy can also be accessed at www.scotland.gsi.gov.uk/sexualhealthstrategy. This facility includes a discussion forum and an online response form. You can telephone Freephone 0800 77 1234 to find out where your nearest public internet access point is, if you prefer to submit your response by e-mail send it to us at: sexualhealthstrategy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
A summary of the strategy has also been prepared and is enclosed. The summary is available in a number of languages and in Braille, large print and audio tape as well. Additional copies can be obtained from the Scottish Executive at the address below or on the web at www.scotland.gsi.gov.uk/sexualhealthstrategy. We are also placing on the web the supporting papers on the evidence and rationale, which informed the Reference Group's recommendations.
Submission of Responses
Responses to this consultation should be submitted by Friday 27 February 2004 to:
Public Health Division Branch 2
Sexual Health and Relationships draft Strategy
Scottish Executive Health Department
Mailpoint 3E (South) St Andrew's House
Regent Road
EDINBURGH EHI 3DG
Fax: 0131-244 2866 E-mail: sexualhealthstrategy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
If you have any queries, contact Brian West at 0131-244 2568
To help inform debate on the points covered by this consultation paper, the Scottish Executive intends to follow its normal practice of making copies of responses received available to the public in the Scottish Executive library at Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh (tel 0131 244 4552) by 29 March 2004. If respondents indicate that they wish all, or part, of their reply excluded from this arrangement, confidentiality will be strictly respected. All responses not marked confidential will be checked for any potentially defamatory material before being placed in the Scottish Executive library. To assist us in handling your response appropriately, it is important that you complete the attached 'Respondee information Form' at Annex A.
An outline list of consultees is attached at Annex B.
I look forward to receiving your views on this draft strategy
yours sincerely
MALCOLM CHISHOLM
ANNEX A
The Scottish Executive Consultation Process
Consultation is an essential and important aspect of Scottish Executive working methods. Given the wide-ranging areas of work of the Scottish Executive, there are many varied types of consultation. However, in general Scottish Executive consultation exercises aim to provide opportunities for all those who wish to express their opinions on a proposed area of work to do so in ways which will inform and enhance that work.
While details of particular circumstances described in a response to a consultation exercise may usefully inform the policy process, consultation exercises cannot address individual concerns and comments, which should be directed to the relevant public body. Consultation exercises may involve seeking views in a number of different ways, such as public meetings, focus groups or questionnaire exercises.
Typically, Scottish Executive consultations involve a written paper inviting answers to specific questions or more general views about the material presented. Written papers are distributed to organisations and individuals with an interest in the area of consultation, and they are also placed on the Scottish Executive web site enabling a wider audience to access the paper and submit their responses. Copies of all the responses received to consultation exercises (except those where the individual or organisation requested confidentiality) are placed in the Scottish Executive library at Saughton House, Edinburgh (K Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, telephone 0131 244 4552).
The views and suggestions detailed in consultation responses are analysed and used as part of the decision making process. Depending on the nature of the consultation exercise the responses received may:
indicate the need for policy development or review
inform the development of a particular policy
help decisions to be made between alternative policy proposals
be used to finalise legislation before it is implemented
If you have any comment about how this consultation exercise has been conducted, please send them to:
Mr Brian D West
Public Health Division Branch 2
Sexual Health and Relationships draft Strategy
Scottish Executive Health Department
Mailpoint 3E (South) St Andrew's House
Regent Road
EDINBURGH
EHI 3DG
E-mail: Brian.West@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
ANNEX B
LIST OF CONSULTEES
This letter has been sent to over 2000 addressees, including the groupings and organisations shown below.
Children
Children in Scotland
Save the Children
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
Disability
Capability Scotland
Disability Rights Commission
Down's Syndrome Scotland
Enable
Inclusion Scotland
RNIB
RNID
Scottish Association for Mental Health
Scottish Council on Deafness
Scottish Disability Equality Forum
SENSE Scotland
Education
Local Authority Directors of Education
Scottish Youth Parliament
The Parent and Teacher Association
The Scottish School Board Association
Equality and Ethnic Groups
CARE for Scotland
Equality Unit, Scottish Executive
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
Scottish Parliament, Equal Opportunities Committee
Minority Ethnic Communities
Black Community Development Project, Craigroyston Community High School
Central Scotland Racial Equality Council
Edinburgh & Lothians Racial Equality Council
Grampian Racial Equality Council
Tayside Racial Equality Council
West of Scotland Racial Equality Council
BEMIS
Commission for Racial Equality
Equality Network
LGBT Youth
Outright Scotland
Positive Action in Housing
Scottish Gypsy/Travellers Assoc. Education Services
Scottish Refugee Council
Stonewall Scotland
Justice
Faculty of Advocates
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland
The Sheriffs' Association
Miscellaneous
COSLA
STUC
NHS Scotland/other medical
BMA
Care Commission
Chairmen Area Medical Committees
Chief Executives Special Boards
Department of Health
Directors of Public Health
Members of Sexual Health and Wellbeing Learning Network
NHS Board Chief Executives
NHS Board Finance Directors
NHS Chairmen
NHS Education
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
NHS Trust Chief Executives
Other CMOs (England, Northern Ireland and Wales)
RCGP-Scotland
Secretary Scottish Association of Nurses Contraception and Sexual Health (SANCASH)
Special Board CEs/Finance Directors
Older People
Age Concern Scotland
Religious
Action of Churches Together in Scotland
Scottish Interfaith Council
Scottish Council of Jewish Communities
Women
Equal Opportunities Commission (Scotland)
Engender
Glasgow Women's Library
The full list used for distribution of the draft strategy consultation is available on request from the Scottish Executive Health Department, Public Health Division, Branch 2, Sexual Health and Relationships draft Strategy, Mailpoint 3E (South), St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG. Alternatively you may request the list by e-mail to: sexualhealthstrategy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by fax to 0131 244 2866.
Supporting Papers
A number of papers have been developed to give more detail on the evidence and the rationale behind the strategy's recommendations. These accompany the submission to the Scottish Executive. It is suggested that these should be widely available on the Internet and/or in paper copy during the consultation phase.
Supporting Papers include:
1 Sexual Health in Scotland: Attitudes, lifestyles and the changing epidemiology of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
2 The wider factors influencing sexual health and wellbeing, including issues for those experiencing the greatest barriers to good sexual health
3 Media and mass communications
4 Sexual health and relationships education for young people
5 Promoting enhanced clinical services
5A An integrated tiered service approach
5B Supporting access to clinical services and reaching those in need of services
5C Minimising unintended pregnancy and managing sexually transmitted infections including HIV
6 Supporting change
The Supporting Papers can be accessed by logging onto the Sexual Health Strategy website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/sexualhealthstrategy and clicking on the link to Supporting Papers.
Contributors
Reference Group
In August 2002, the Minister for Health and Community Care appointed an expert Reference Group, under the Chairmanship of Professor Phil Hanlon, to draw up a strategy for improving sexual health in Scotland. The members of this Reference Group are listed below.
Professor Phil Hanlon (Chair) | Professor of Public Health, University of Glasgow and former Director of the Public Health Institute of Scotland a |
Dr Alison Bigrigg | Director, Sandyford Initiative, representing Scottish Family Planning Medical Co-ordinators |
Rev. Joseph Chambers | Vice-President of the Catholic Education Commission |
Dr Candace Currie | Director, Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, University of Edinburgh |
Professor Peter Donnelly | Director of Public Health and Health Policy, Lothian NHS Board |
Susan Douglas-Scott | Director, fpa Scotland |
Evelyn Gillan | Public Affairs Adviser, Royal College of Nursing Scotland |
Professor David Goldberg | Consultant Head of BBV/STI Section , Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health |
Lora Green | Senior Nurse, Family Planning & Well Women Services, Lothian |
Dr Eleanor Guthrie | General Practitioner, Glasgow |
Hawys Kilday | Chief Executive, Caledonia Youth |
Roy Kilpatrick | Chief Executive, HIV Scotland |
Romy Langeland | Chief Executive, Aberlour Child Care Trust |
Lindsay MacHardy | Director of Programmes and Communications, Health Education Board for Scotland |
Margaret McKay | Chief Executive, Children First |
David Mackie | Education Officer, Dumfries & Galloway Council |
Lorraine Mann | Health Promotion Specialist - Sexual Health and Young People, Highland NHS Board |
Dona Milne | Manager, Healthy Respect Demonstration Project |
Elizabeth May | Depute Head Teacher, Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh |
Dr Rak Nandwani | Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine and Associate Director of External Affairs, Sandyford Initiative |
Hugh Purves | Community Pharmacist, Cupar |
Dr Gordon Scott | Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine, Lothian University Hospitals Trust |
Dr Catherine Thomson | General Practitioner, Falkirk , representing the Board of Social Responsibility of the Church of Scotland |
Dr Daniel Wight | Senior Researcher, Medical Research Council Social and Public Health Sciences Unit |
Dianna Wolfson | Representative of the Scottish Council of Jewish Community on the Scottish Interfaith Council |
Project Team
A Project Team, which undertook the research, co-ordination and writing of the strategy, supported the work of the Reference Group. The members of the Project Team were:
Shirley Fraser | Sexual Health & Wellbeing Learning Network Co-ordinator, Public Health Institute of Scotland (now NHS Health Scotland) |
Jill Muirie | Project Manager, Public Health Institute of Scotland (now NHS Health Scotland) |
Elizabeth Burtney (until April 2003) | Research Specialist (sexual health), Health Education Board for Scotland |
Professor Peter Donnelly | Director of Public Health and Health Policy, Lothian NHS Board |
Deirdre Fullerton (until January 2003) | Research Specialist (sexual health), Health Education Board for Scotland |
Professor David Goldberg | Consultant Head of BBV/STI Section, Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health |
Professor Phil Hanlon (Chair) | Professor of Public Health, University of Glasgow and former Director, Public Health Institute of Scotland |
NHS Health Scotland
The Project Team drew expertise from the organisations listed above and was based in NHS Health Scotland which is the organisation now formally submitting the strategy to the Minister for Health and Community Care. It is submitted as a draft strategy which will be further developed following consultation with the wider Scottish community.