SEXUAL health support services in the county are being tweaked in an attempt to provide a more targeted approach, with greater focus on education for young people.

The shakeup in how the service is provided comes amid cuts of more than half a million pounds to Gloucestershire County Council’s draft budget for Sexual Health services.

This area of the Public Health budget is being reduced by 13.6 per cent, with £1.7 million instead being redirected into providing support for children aged 0-19, including health visiting and school nursing.

The current service has been provided by the Gloucestershire County Council since 2013 working alongside the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the current provider Gloucestershire Care Services (GCS).

On Wednesday December 14 cabinet members at Shire Hall will be asked to approve the plans, which council bosses say aim for a “long term investment in prevention”.

As part of a review the council ran a consultation to find out what people thought about proposals for how the service would work in future.

The consultation gave residents chance to help shape the service for the years ahead by focussing on access for those in need of specialist sexual health services, and using technology to compliment that.

Feedback also suggested that there should be specific support for prevention of poor sexual health, in addition to diagnosis and treatment services.

This new service would focus on education and promoting healthy relationships and be targeted at the groups most in need of support, such as young people.

If approved, GCS would continue as provider with the council working alongside them to redevelop the service.

This would make it easier for the people currently using the service and mean any changes could be phased in over the contract, allowing time for people to adjust.

Cllr Andrew Gravells, cabinet member for public health at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Making sure that our sexual health services meet the needs of the whole communities is essential, especially for those who are most vulnerable.

“I’m really grateful to everyone that took part in the consultation. Their feedback has helped us to put these recommendations together and identify the best way the service can support those who really need it.

“With a long term investment in prevention, we can really make a difference to our community’s health and wellbeing.”

Brian Oosthuysen, councillor for Rodborough and Labour’s public health spokesperson, said: "I want to thank everyone who got involved in the consultation as it has shaped how the council is going to provide this service.

“I'm also glad that they have provided an option to alter the service through its lifetime so that it is more flexible.

“I do have concerns that because of recent government cuts to the public health budget they won't be able to deliver a service that is fit for purpose.”

A further decision will go to cabinet in July to discuss sexual health services delivered by GPs and pharmacists, such as emergency contraception and long acting reversible contraception (LARC).

The debate comes on the same day that cabinet will meet to discuss the council’s draft budget.

The total budget from Public Heath is being cut by 2.47 per cent – or £630,000.

While the budget for services for children aged 0-19 is being increased by 20 per cent, all other areas of the budget are being cut.

This sees services for Sexual Health, Public Mental Health and NHS Health Checks all slashed.

Services for helping those with drug and alcohol problems will all see their budgets cut by over £1 million, a reduction of 16 per cent in one year.

The proposed budget for 2017/18 would be £ 24.9 million – down from £25.5 million.