A year on from the closure of Brenkley Avenue, Dr Olly Scargill has urged the service to return to Shiremoor
Shiremoor One to One Centre, Brenkley Avenue(Image: ChronicleLive)
Calls continue to return a community sexual health clinic to Shiremoor following its relocation to North Tyneside General Hospital. The former one-to-one clinic on Brenkley Avenue, Shiremoor, was transferred to Rake Lane due to concerns over the building’s safety on April 29, 2024.
Now, Conservative councillor and junior physician Dr Olly Scargill has urged for the service to be brought back to the local community. The services available include confidential sexual health advice for those aged 13+, emergency contraception, and contraception advice. An FOI request submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting service indicated a drop in the number of sexual health appointments, on-line and in person, made for the service for those aged 13-18 since the clinic’s move.
The number of appointments made for the service among 13-18 year olds is as follows:
- April 29, 2021/22: 1,510
- April 29, 2022/23: 1,661
- April 29, 2023/24: 1,041
- April 29, 2024/present day: 926
Junior doctor and New York and Murton councillor, Olly Scargill said: “It is really important we have good sexual health services in the community. The figures released show that there are fewer people making appointments, which can include getting testing or seeking sexual health advice, now that the service has moved to the hospital.
“The previous Brenkley Avenue was close to a Metro stop. The new location should have good public transport links so that people across the borough can easily access it. Thankfully, Northumbria Healthcare has made it clear this is only a temporary relocation.
“I’m urging the council to look into the impact of the move and prioritise finding a new location for this service. In the meantime, people should continue to use the service at Rake Lane and keep accessing this important healthcare.”
Dr and counrillor, Olly Scargill at the 2022 Local Elections.(Image: James Robinson/NCJ Media)
However, Northumbria Healthcare NHS foundation Trust has stated the drop in appointments made by the 13-18-year-old cohort can be explained by other factors.
In response to the figures, a spokesperson for the Trust said: “The number of appointments taking place will be influenced by different factors. This includes a number of our service developments including home-testing kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), increased online access, and C-cards, which enable people to get free contraception at a range of pharmacies and other community venues in the area. Our team also has a strong focus on prevention and sexual health advice, which includes significant work with young people.”
The Trust also maintained that staff and patient safety, with regards to the Brenkley Avenue, remained a “top priority”, and surveys are being carried out on the site to help consider all options. The Trust’s website also states: “We are working closely with North Tyneside Council in relation to where services will be located in the future and patients will be kept informed.”
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