Guernsey Press

Condoms for free in bid to halve teen births

CONTRACEPTION could be given free to all under-21s in a bid to halve the number of teenage pregnancies, a new strategy has suggested.

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It is one of the recommendations in the five-year Sexual Health Strategy, which has been put out to consultation by the Health and Social Services Department.

It would see condoms, the pill and long-term contraceptives provided free-of-charge to under-21s, not only to reduce the number of pregnancies in under-18s, but also to cut the rate of sexually transmitted diseases, save money and improve sexual health for young people.

Guernsey Sexual Health Forum chairwoman Dr Nicola Brink, pictured, said this would come alongside other approaches to ensure the best possible service was available.

But she was keen to emphasise nothing had been set in stone and the public's feedback was needed.

'Condoms would be free for everyone under-21 in the strategy. This is a significant change.

'But we are looking at the whole package. This is about a whole-island approach to sexual health and would come alongside educational needs, we are looking at a holistic approach to sexual health,' she said.

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