Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1305. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline he is working towards in drafting and publishing the new National Sexual Health Strategy; the members of the core drafting group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36493/23]
View answerSexual health has been a priority for the Department of Health; the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 (NSHS) was developed as a core policy under the Healthy Ireland Framework and remains a priority under the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025. Implementation of the Strategy is led by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP). It was extended until the end of 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the publication of the Strategy, there have been a number of significant developments impacting on sexual health, including the Repeal of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, the subsequent introduction of termination of pregnancy services, a significant rise in Ireland’s population, both in terms of numbers and diversity and increasing STI rates, nationally and internationally.
An independent Review of the Strategy, by Crowe Ireland, was published in March. The Review identified 56 Priority Actions, of which 49 were assessed as having been successfully progressed. It also sets out 32 indicative recommendations to build on achievements, and to optimise development of a new Strategy.
An NSHS Redrafting Committee has been convened and met for the first time on 12th July, 2023. The core Group is comprised of my Department’s sexual health policy leads, men’s health team, the Women’s Health Taskforce, the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme leads, representatives of the HSE Primary Care Division, the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme and key clinical experts, including a representative from the Irish College of General Practitioners.
The Group have determined that the new Strategy will adhere to the core principles of its predecessor. The first Strategy aimed to improve sexual health and wellbeing and reduce negative sexual health outcomes, recognising the importance of supporting healthy attitudes to sexuality throughout the life course. This core focus will be retained.
However, the new Strategy will also benefit from a significant widening of scope and consideration of additional service capacity, including the achievements under the first Strategy and ambitions to develop these further. In addition to input from the core Group, additional experts will be consulted with regard to aspects of the new Strategy relevant to their areas of expertise.
The following priorities have been identified for the new National Sexual Health Strategy:
• implementing a Model of Care for sexual health services, with a key focus on prevention, treatment, information and surveillance for STIs, including HIV
• building capacity and meeting demand for HIV PrEP
• improving Sexual health information, focussing on positive menstrual health education and awareness, fertility, gynaecology and contraception
• further developing and expanding the Free Contraception Scheme for women and the National Condom Distribution Service, to support better access to contraception and STI prevention, also recognising the key role of hormonal contraception in treating adverse period symptoms
• supporting other relevant policy areas across Government, including women’s, men’s and LGBTI+ health and inclusion and focussing on the sexual health-related elements of these areas of work
The new Strategy is currently scheduled to be brought to Government for approval for publication by end of 2023.
