Burning issue: Is the sexual health strategy in Scotland failing?

Published on Monday 21 January 2008 20:45

NO Shona Robison, minister for public health

THE debate on promoting sexual health in Scotland inevitably raises difficult and sensitive issues, which is why it is important that we take it forward in an inclusive and respectful fashion, and within a moral framework. The Scottish Government's strategy places vital importance on relationships education, and its key message is – delay sexual relations until ready, and be safe when active.

While making sure people are aware of the risks associated with having sex, I believe that young people need to have access to contraception to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies if they choose to have sex.

I, too, share concerns that rates of STIs, abortions and teenage pregnancies remain high – but I believe that better education and better sexual-health services are the keys to solving these problems, rather than promoting abstinence in isolation.

The strategy was developed in consultation with faith groups, including the Catholic Church, and a representative from the Church sits on the National Sexual Health Advisory Committee.

I firmly believe the inclusive approach is the correct one. We are currently carrying out a stock-take review of the strategy to determine the impact it is having, the results of which will shape its future direction and focus.

The Scottish Government believes it is important to develop a long-term plan to improve Scotland's sexual health. I know that change won't happen overnight – changing our sexual behaviour requires a long-term cultural shift, and I am confident that the strategy is having a positive impact.

YES

Cardinal Keith O'Brien

I WISH to express my deep disappointed that the Scottish Government continues to support a sexual health strategy which they did not devise and which has demonstrably failed.

Scotland has, as you know, one of the worst records in Europe on sexual health, yet we continue to pursue approaches which are patently flawed. By far the most glaring omission in the current orthodoxy is the intentional absence of any moral framework.

This is an utterly inadequate vision for the future health of our citizens. Trumpeting the increased provision of sexual health clinics and services is a measure of failure not success: a strategy akin to permanently stationing an ambulance at every accident black spot in the country rather than educating drivers to improve their driving and to moderate their behaviour on our roads.

Scotland's abortion rate continues to grow, as does the number of abortions. Looking at teenage conceptions, we see the same picture. Additionally, increased distribution and use of the morning-after pill means many conceptions are no longer recorded in the statistics, allowing us to conclude that teenage conception rates are actually higher than officially recorded. In the last ten years, cases of sexually transmitted infections in Scotland have doubled.

In 2004, I commented that the "solutions" being offered to deal with this crisis were "even more damaging and potentially devastating to the physical and emotional health of generations of Scots". It is disheartening in the extreme to see such predications come true. I can only urge once again an end to these failing strategies and an infusion of morality in the future.