Sexual health is 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 is 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.
An independent Review of the Strategy, by Crowe Ireland, was published in March 2023. 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.
The following priorities have been identified for the new National Sexual Health Strategy:
• Supporting sexual health across the lifecourse
• Implementing a Model of Care for sexual health services, with a key focus on prevention; diagnosis, treatment, information and surveillance for STIs, including HIV;
• Building capacity and meeting demand for HIV prevention and treatment, including PrEP and PEP;
• Expanding capacity and further developing the home STI testing service and STI testing and treatment more widely, bearing in mind the increase in STI transmission rates, internationally;
• Improving Sexual health information, education and supports, including awareness of consent;
• 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 sexual health related research;
• Working in partnership across Government, supporting other relevant policy areas, including women’s, men’s and LGBTI+ health, DSGBV prevention, recognising the needs of marginalised groups, using a socially inclusive approach and focusing on the sexual health-related elements of these areas of work;
• Supporting our international commitments concerning sexual health.
Following the advice of experts on the Drafting Committee, the new Strategy has now undergone an additional round of stakeholder consultation and feedback, which is now complete. It is envisaged that it will be brought to the Ministers and then to Government for approval prior to publication during September 2024.
