Solent NHS Trust to deliver sexual health services on Isle of Wight

The transfer of sexual health services to Solent NHS Trust took place on Wednesday 1 April, with all the current IoW NHS colleagues transferring to Solent under the TUPE scheme. The Sexual Health service is commissioned by Public Health England through the Isle of Wight Council.

The new delivery will see Solent NHS Trust take responsibility for the delivery of key services whilst working to positively transform services across the island for the benefit of residents.

Solent NHS Trust has won significant praise for its approach to sexual health services across Hampshire, delivering a service user focused approach to ensure healthy outcomes.

Working with a strong community partnership with local pharmacies and GPs, Solent ensures that regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or community, service users can access vital and timely access to sexual health provision.

Working with partners across the region, the aim is to ensure Isle of Wight residents may access an equally high standard of care out of hospital, whilst keeping them keeping people safe and well in the community.

The new service will include access to sexual health counselling, sexual health promotion to
vulnerable groups and health provision for patients living with HIV. Most service users should see no change in the locations they may access assistance from.

Sue Harriman, Chief Executive at Solent NHS Trust, said: “We are really excited about the benefits we can bring to the delivery of sexual health services across the Isle of Wight. Working with the great team already in place, Solent will be able to bring the advances in access to care that will really improve health outcomes for local people.

“We know that access to care through our website, www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk increases engagement and take up of sexual health care and prevention, particularly in vulnerable groups.

“This is a great opportunity for Solent to share our best practice, as well as learning, for the benefit of all residents across Hampshire and the Island.

“We have a wealth of experience in providing sexual health services in all communities across Hampshire and will strive to provide great care with convenient access, to our service users across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.”