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<p>Increases in rates of syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia are likely to be due to
a number of factors. These include increases in both the number of people attending
sexual health services and the number of tests for sexually transmitted infections.
Other factors include, better detection of infection and behavioural changes such
as an increase in partner numbers and condomless anal intercourse, as well as, for
some men who have sex with men, ‘chemsex’ and group sex facilitated by geosocial networking
applications.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities will receive £3.1 billion in 2019/20,
ring-fenced exclusively for use on public health, including sexual health. We are
investing over £16 billion in local authority public health services over the five
years of the 2015 Spending Review until 2020/21. It is for individual local authorities
to decide their spending priorities based on an assessment of local need, including
the need for sexual health services taking account of their statutory duties.</p><p>
</p><p>My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had numerous discussions with
cabinet ministers to discuss a range of topics in advance of the Spending Review.
Public health funding for 2020 onwards, including for sexual health services, will
be considered carefully in the next Spending Review, in the light of the available
evidence.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities are required by regulations to provide comprehensive
open access sexual health services, including provision for sexually transmitted infection
testing and treatment and contraception.</p><p> </p><p>The latest statistics show
that more people are now accessing sexual health services. Attendances have increased
by 7% between 2017 and 2018 (from 3,337,677 to 3,561,548). This continues the trend
of increases in attendances seen over the past five years. To help manage the overall
increase in demand, local authorities are increasingly commissioning online services
to manage lower risk and asymptomatic patients. These services have the potential
to reach groups not currently engaged with clinic services.</p>
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