|
Gay men are happier with
clap clinics
11 Apr 2007- UK- New research released shows that gay and
bisexual men are more satisfied with sexual health services in England
and Wales than they were in the late 1990s.
Although it’s still difficult to get an appointment in many clinics,
once through the door men are reporting that they are happier with the
service they’re receiving.
The annual gay Men's Sex Survey, undertaken by Sigma Research and
commissioned by Terrence Higgins Trust, found that dissatisfaction with
sexual health services fell between 1998 and 2005, and that there was an
increase in perceived service quality.
Will Nutland, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said,
"Sexual health services in the UK have been under extreme pressure in
recent years yet the quality of the service does not appear to have
fallen.
"Some clinics may be struggling to meet the 48 hour access target but
despite pressures on staff, gay men are increasingly being treated with
courtesy and respect and are receiving a professional service”.
The research also shows that more gay and bisexual men are being offered
an HIV test at their last sexual health clinic visit than in previous
years, with 86% of men whose visit was in the last year being offered a
test in 2005.
Peter Weatherburn, Director of Sigma Research said, "The increase in HIV
diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in recent years has been partially
explained by a large increase in HIV testing. An offer of an HIV test is
now the norm during a sexual health clinic visit which is excellent.
It’s essential that as much is done as possible to identify the third of
people who remain undiagnosed."
|
