Vol. 423 No. 1
273 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on recent reports (details supplied) that the Limerick Regional Hospital has reported a 75 per cent increase in the attendance figures over the past two years in the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic.
A Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic for the Mid West region was opened in March 1987.
The Mid Western Health Board are encouraged that people are using the Clinic without inhibitions and are at present giving consideration to provide a service for people in Nenagh and Ennis General Hospitals for patients in their catchment areas.
The Health Promotion Unit of my Department produces a leaflet on STD's giving details of the symptoms of the diseases, how the diseases can be contacted, information on the treatment and the addresses of the STD clinics nationwide. This leaflet is distributed widely through the health boards, GP's, STD clinics and other outlets.
Earlier this year I introduced legislation which makes condoms more readily available and which is designed towards reducing the risks of contracting STD's.
