A new sexual health service is to launch in Southend next month in a collaboration between the council, care service Provide and Southend University Hospital.

The service aims to deliver improved sexual health services for residents, including contraceptive advice, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

The announcement comes shortly after the publication of the council’s joint needs assessment, which revealed that birth rates among those under 18 are “significantly above the England and East of England averages”.

Furthermore, the rate of HIV, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis diagnoses had all risen in 2017 and the number of people aged between 15 and 24 screened for Chlamydia was below the national average.

Councillor Lesley Salter, cabinet member for healthy communities and wellbeing, said: "The new Southend Sexual Health Service is committed to delivering a modern, confidential, sensitive and professional service for the residents of Southend.

"People who use these services will still be able to access the advice, tests and treatments they need and with faster results. Many sexually transmitted infections are easily treated and I would encourage people to seek advice at an early stage."

The new centre will open on April 1 and be located at Thamesgate House, on Victoria Avenue. Once open, it will act as a single point of access to the service that will provide triage, appointment booking and STI results management.

Until then, sexual health services in Southend will continue to be offered by Essex Partnership University Hospital Foundation Trust at the Kingsley Ward Centre on Southchurch Road.

The Terrence Higgins Trust will continue to provide HIV prevention and sexual health outreach services for the residents of Southend and the service will be co-located with the services being provided by Provide and Southend Hospital.