Sexual Health Service rated ‘outstanding’
Wirral residents can be assured they are receiving top quality sexual health services, following a glowing report during a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Overall, the Trust was rated as ‘Good’, and within this, Sexual Health Wirral received an ‘Outstanding’ rating, the highest possible rating from CQC.
Funded by Wirral Council Public Health, Sexual Health Wirral were rated outstanding overall, with the services’ responsiveness and leadership particularly applauded.
Cllr Janette Williamson, Chair of Wirral’s Adult Social Care and Health committee, said:
It’s great news that our public health commissioned sexual health services have received such a positive rating in this recent inspection, especially noting that the dedicated staff are committed to increasing accessibility and inclusion.
The report says that the service is committed to reducing health inequalities, with staff continually looking at ways to improve access to the service. It also states that staff had an understanding and awareness of the links between sexual health, poverty, disability, and social exclusion.
Among many other positive findings on the sexual health service, the inspectors stated that:
- The service planned and provided care in a way that met the needs of local people and the communities served.
- The service was inclusive and took account of patients’ individual needs and preferences. Staff made reasonable adjustments to help patients access services.
- Staff gave patients practical support and advice to lead healthier lives.
- The service had a vision for what it wanted to achieve and a strategy to turn it into action, developed with all relevant stakeholders.
Cllr Williamson said:
Providing a non-judgemental sexual health service that responds to the needs of our communities and individuals is vital and I’d like to congratulate the staff who make that vision a reality in Wirral day in, day out.
The Trust is one of the largest providers commissioned by Public Health to deliver services. The Community Sexual Health Service which was recently re-awarded a contract in December 2023 following a successful tender application process.
Karen Howell OBE, Chief Executive at the Trust said:
This CQC report reflects the outstanding care we deliver every day, the essential role of community services and it is fantastic news for those who use our services, all our staff and the partners we are proud to work with.
CQC inspected the community health services for adults and community sexual health services to monitor the progress of improvements that leaders were told to make following a previous inspection.
The organisation, which provides a range of primary, community and public health services to the people of Wirral and surrounding areas, had just 24-hours' notice that the inspection would be taking place.
The full report can be viewed here.
Read more about Sexual Health Wirral's service including walk-in clinics, online booking and postal testing kits via their website here.
