Sexual health newsletter July 2026

Overview

Our Garden Clinics provide free, confidential services for people of all ages.

• Sexual Health Service

New walk-in clinics

We now hold walk-in clinics for all ages at Upton Hospital:

• Monday 12.15-6.30pm
• Friday 8.45am-3pm

The young person’s clinic for under-18s at Upton Hospital will still be running on:

• Wednesday 3.30-5.30pm.

A walk-in clinic for all ages also runs at Skimped Hill Health Centre

• Wednesday 8.30-11.30am

A young person’s clinic runs there on:

• Thursday 3.30-5.30pm.

Clinical updates

Subdermal implant

The licensed duration of the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon®) is now up to five years.

Contraception safety updates

The UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC) has updated guidance on the safety of contraceptive methods for individuals with specific medical conditions or characteristics.

Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) statement on ulipristal acetate and breastfeeding

No interruption of breastfeeding is necessary following a single dose of ulipristal acetate when given for emergency contraception.

2024 UK STI statistics: a snapshot

Among people in England, there were 364,750 new STI diagnoses in 2024, an 8.8% decrease from 399,947 in 2023.

The diagnosis rates of STIs remain greatest in young people aged 15 to 24 years, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), and some minority ethnic groups.

Infectious syphilis diagnoses increased 1.7% from 9,375 in 2023 to 9,535 in 2024; considering all syphilis diagnoses, including late-stage or complications such as ocular and Otosyphilis, diagnoses increased 4.6% from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024.

Gonorrhoea diagnoses decreased 15.9% from 85,370 in 2023 to 71,802 in 2024.

Chlamydia diagnoses decreased 13% from 194,143 diagnoses in 2023 to 168,889 diagnoses in 2024.
First episode genital warts decreased 4.3% from 26,193 in 2023 to 25,056 diagnoses in 2024.

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