Lambeth is grappling with the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England, prompting the council to implement a new strategy aimed at improving sexual health across the borough.
The Lambeth Southwark Lewisham Bexley and Bromley Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Strategy (2025-2030) was discussed at the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting on Thursday, aiming to address these challenges through a comprehensive, five-year plan. The strategy focuses on prevention, reducing inequalities, and ensuring accessible services for all residents.
Councillor David Bridson, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities, highlighted the urgency of the situation: Lambeth faces some of the greatest sexual health challenges in England. Historically, we have high rates of HIV, STIs and abortions.
According to the report pack for the meeting, Lambeth faces significant sexual health challenges, including high rates of HIV and STIs. In 2024, Lambeth had the highest rates of new STI diagnoses in England, with 3,257 cases per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 632 per 100,000. The borough also has the highest rate of people living with HIV, at 11.08 per 1,000, significantly higher than the national average of 1.73 per 1,000.
The strategy, a collaborative effort across five boroughs, identifies four key themes:
- Healthy and fulfilling sexual relationships
- Improving reproductive health
- Reducing the rates of sexually transmitted infections
- Preventing and living well with HIV
The strategy also outlines five key principles: collaborating with partners, embracing digital innovations, listening to residents, developing an evidence-based system, and focusing on fairness and equity. The strategy aims to embrace digital and technological innovations to improve access to sexual health services and information.
Jessica Engel, Consultant in Public Health, explained the collaborative nature of the strategy: This joint strategy across Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Blexley and Bromley sets out the vision and priorities for the region in relation to sexual health, reproductive health, HIV, with a focus on prevention, reducing sexual health inequalities and providing accessible services to all.
The strategy aligns with Lambeth's Borough Plan and Lambeth Together's health and care plan, aiming to ensure residents can lead healthy, active lives with access to quality health services.
The strategy is currently in a consultation phase, with initial feedback from 133 responses. The council is seeking further input from specific groups, including Black heritage communities, young people, people living with HIV, LGBTQ+ communities, and marginalised communities, to ensure the strategy meets the needs of all residents.
Councillor Donna Harris raised concerns about the consultation response rate, suggesting that 133 responses were insufficient given the area's breadth. She also inquired about outreach to schools and specific community groups. Council officers assured the committee that targeted outreach efforts were planned, utilising diverse teams and peer-led services to engage with underrepresented communities.
Councillor Val Castle emphasised the importance of working with GPs and engaging hard-to-reach groups, while Councillor Verity McGivern highlighted the need to address migration status within the strategy. Jess Engel stated that the strategy will follow the guidance released by UK HSA around the prioritization framework. This framework involves looking at data to understand where the need is, who is accessing services, and who is not. The data includes country of birth. Additionally, the outreach service has a service looking at marginalized communities, including silent seekers and refugees, with community organizations specifically working with those communities.
The Sub-Committee recommended that the council provide a list of groups being consulted and their engagement methods. They also suggested strengthening the focus on migration within the strategy. The final strategy is expected to be completed by November.
