Camden Council is undertaking a review of its sexual health and reproductive wellbeing plan, with a focus on improving outcomes for all residents, particularly regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV transmission, and reproductive health. The Camden Sexual Wellbeing and Reproductive Health (SWRH) System Review and Work Programme 2025–2030 was discussed at a Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
The SWRH sets out a partnership approach to improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes for all residents, ensuring that everyone regardless of age, gender, sex, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, or background can access high-quality, culturally competent, and trauma-informed care. The review and work programme set out findings and actions in relation to four key domains:
- Healthy, Fulfilling and Safe Relationships
- High Quality Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing and Treatment
- Towards Zero HIV Transmission and Living Well with HIV
- Good Reproductive Health Across the Life Course (this domain is particularly focussed on women and girls)
The work programme is guided by insights from Camden's 2024 Sexual Health Needs Assessment, interviews, focus groups, and surveys with over 190 residents most likely to face poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes or significant access barriers. Key barriers identified by residents include stigma, inaccessible or unclear online information, language issues, and non-inclusive clinic environments. The work programme aims to address these barriers through actions such as expanding condom access and outreach, promoting anonymous and online access to services, improving equity data collection and analysis, and enhancing staff training in trauma-informed, culturally competent care, and increasing visibility and accessibility of services like Mortimer Market.
It also draws on feedback from frontline staff, as well as relevant local and national research and reports. The full details of the review are available in the Public Reports Pack.
Camden continues to have some of the highest STI rates in London, with Gonorrhoea diagnoses more than doubling since 2012. While GBMSM (Gay and Bisexual Men who have Sex with Men) remain disproportionately affected, STI rates are also rising in heterosexual populations.
HIV prevalence in Camden remains high but is decreasing thanks to effective testing and treatment strategies such as the provision of PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis). Camden performs well on early diagnosis overall, but late diagnoses remain an issue, especially among heterosexual men and women. New diagnoses are more common among Black, mixed, and 'other' ethnic groups.
Women in Camden face some worse reproductive health outcomes than in other parts of London and England. Screening rates for cervical and breast cancer and HPV vaccinations are below average, especially among Asian and White Other communities due to factors including cultural stigma, racism, and trauma. To combat this, culturally tailored outreach and education will be provided for Somali, Bangladeshi, and other underrepresented communities, alongside efforts to improve HPV vaccination and cancer screening uptake.
Reproductive healthcare often feels fragmented, with long waits for gynaecology (44% waiting over 18 weeks across North Central London). The report proposes Developing a Women's Health Hub to provide holistic, joined-up care
as a key action to address this. Menopause support is also being improved through training GPs and sexual health staff in menopause, and culturally tailored outreach and education for Somali, Bangladeshi, and other underrepresented communities.
The Health and Wellbeing Board's work programme is developed by Board members and partners, with oversight from Councillor Anna Wright (Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care), Chair of the Board and support from Camden strategy officers.