Demand for answers as Stratford’s sexual health clinic shuts and new hub opens in LeamingtonProperties
QUESTIONS have been asked about the future of sexual health services in Stratford after the building was closed and left with a sign directing people to other sites across Warwickshire.
The Sexual Health Clinic, which was previously held at the Hathaway Centre on Arden Street, closed at the end of March.
Stratford’s Lib Dems say there was no adequate consultation or notice and are demanding answers from Warwickshire County Council about the change.
The notice in the Arden Street building advises that, from 2nd April, Sexual Health Hubs will be available at four sites, the nearest being Bath Street in Leamington.
Cllr Kate Rolfe (Lib Dem, Stratford South) raised her concerns at the county council’s adult social care and health overview and scrutiny committee meeting on 17th April.
She said: “I wanted to know when and by whom this decision was taken and whether there was any public consultation.
“I also asked about apparent plans for an outreach clinic in Stratford, whether it was now operating and if so, where and what services are being offered.
“Unfortunately, not only were no answers available, nobody even seemed aware of the closure of the Hathaway Centre. I will be pursuing this.”
Stratford district councillor Manuela Perteghella added (Lib Dem, Welford): added: “When I contacted the NHS George Eliot Trust about the closure they replied: ‘I can confirm that following a tendering process run by Warwickshire County Council, HCRG will provide an integrated sexual health service across Coventry and Warwickshire from April 2024.
‘We strongly believe that HCRG will provide comprehensive, accessible and responsive sexual health services, which are critical to population health across Coventry and Warwickshire.
‘Our priority is to support our staff and patients in the smooth transition of services to HCRG and we will continue to provide safe provision of care for some of the most vulnerable within our society and helping to address health inequalities.’
“Unfortunately this didn’t answer my question about a Stratford outreach service and the level of service to be provided in the future. We seem to be faced with ever increasing delays and cutbacks in health provision and I’m not sure the government appreciates the added challenges of providing health services in rural areas’.
Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for adult social care and health Cllr Margaret Bell (Con, Hartshill & Mancetter) admitted at last week’s meeting that she too was unaware of the change to the Stratford service.
“Add me to the list of people who didn’t know this was happening. I absolutely will get a response for you,” she said.
The other three hubs are in Coventry, Rugby and Nuneaton.
