YayCork: This Cork pub is offering free HIV testing (and you get your results in one minute)
In sixty seconds, you’ll know.
In sixty seconds, you’ll know.
If you’ve put off arranging an HIV test because you’re worried about the results, this Thursday there’s an opportunity to take control of your health and get tested.
The Sexual Health Centre will be providing free rapid HIV testing with results in one minute at Chambers on Washington Street on Thursday, February 27th, 2020 from 6pm until 8pm.
There’s currently no cure for HIV, but there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. The key is seeking treatment as soon as possible.
“It is important to remember that with appropriate treatment people with HIV can have a healthy sexual life without the risk of transmitting the virus to their sexual partner.” said a Sexual Health Centre spokesperson.
“Starting antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible, and sustaining it as part of your everyday routine, is the best way of ensuring that your immune system stays strong.”
The test takes just a couple of minutes and involves a simple finger prick.
Here’s a quick demo: https://youtu.be/Kesn5fvX4xA
CIT Student President Aaron Buckley has taken the test and commented on its simplicity and accessibility.
“I was in and out in a quarter of an hour. Susan and the team inside the Sexual Health Centre were fantastic and I would highly recommend using the services that they offer.”
For updates on the next free Rapid HIV Testing events happening in Cork, check out the Sexual Health Centre events page.
GCN: Gay Project Ireland launch petition to make PrEP available in Cork - Oisin Kenny
Gay Project Ireland launched a petition calling on the HSE and the Minister for Health to take action towards making PrEP and HIV testing available in Cork.
Gay Project Ireland launched a petition calling on the HSE and the Minister for Health to take action towards making PrEP and HIV testing available in Cork.
Gay Project Ireland has set up a petition calling on the HSE and the Minister for Health to make PrEP and HIV testing available in Cork.In November 2019, a nationwide PrEP programme was put into effect by the Department of Health. As part of Budget 2020, the initiative ensured people would have free access to the medication. However, due to the absence of a HIV prevention clinic, Cork was excluded from the scheme.
Gay Project Director, Pádraig Rice, outlined why he set up the petition ‘Make PrEP available in Cork’ on Change.org, “We have been told for some time that a PrEP clinic would be open in Cork University Hospital – but there has been no movement since last year. I’ve been told locally that the problem rests with HSE HQ, but HSE HQ are saying its a local staffing issue. Despite lots of emails and letters no one has given me a clear answer or timeline as to when it will be sorted. That’s why I started the petition.”
The petition emphasises “access to healthcare shouldn’t be a postcode lottery.” There are currently 375 signatures, with a goal of reaching 500. As Rice further adds, “There’s a growing frustration that people’s friends in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford can access PrEP for free via the HSE programme but we are expected to pay privately for it in Cork. There’s a huge issue here around equality of access.”
In partnership with the Sexual Health Centre, the Gay Project has been providing free rapid HIV tests monthly. The group has advocated tirelessly for the U = U (undetectable = untransmittable) message. Due to being overlooked in the implementation of the PrEP rollout, they are now calling on the Minister for Health and HSE for immediate action.
Rice highlighted the importance of Cork being included in the PrEP rollout, “We know that PrEP is safe, very effective and cost saving. HIV rates in some communities in London have fallen by 70% in two years thanks to the roll out of PrEP and rapid testing. PrEP needs to be made available in Cork in the same way that it is elsewhere. We can’t and won’t be left behind. I’d be really grateful if people would consider adding their voice to this issue by signing the petition.”
Pic: Gay Project Ireland
96FM: Sexual Health animation launched in Cork today
An animation covering topics related to sexual health has been launched in Cork.
The Sexual Health Centre and Traveller Visibility Group are behind Taken'd - the first Sexual Health and Risk Behaviours animation.
The video was revealed at a special event in the Kino in Cork City earlier and speaking to Cork's 96FM and C103 News, Traveller Mens Development Worker for the TVG, John O'Sullivan says there are many benefits to this initiative:
https://www.96fm.ie/news/96fm-news-and-sport/sexual-health-animation-launched-in-cork-today/
96FM: Cork City Hall hosts Sexual Health Network Conference
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is among the organisations supporting the conference which is a collaboration and partnership between several organisations in the region.
These include the Sexual Health Centre , Youth Health Service , Gay Project , Sexual Violence Centre Cork and Cork HIV Treatment Clinic among others.
The conference will showcase the support and clinical services available to the people of Cork as well as developing capacity to respond to sexual health queries and concerns.
EchoLive: Cork City Hall to host sexual health conference - Darragh Bermingham
CORK is to play host to a sexual health conference tomorrow, which aims to enable sectors across Ireland to better respond to sexual health concerns.
CORK is to play host to a sexual health conference tomorrow, which aims to enable sectors across Ireland to better respond to sexual health concerns.
The Sexual Health Network Conference is being held at Millennium Hall in Cork City Hall, and has been organised by Ireland’s first sexual health network.
The network is an interagency platform made up of the Sexual Health Centre, GUM / STI clinic, Youth Health Services, Gay Project, LINC, Sexual Violence Centre Cork, Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, Cork HIV Treatment Clinic, Public Health and Health Promotion and Improvement.
The aim of the interagency network is to focus on their shared and common goals, and to work together to achieve them.
Funded by Healthy Ireland, the conference will showcase the services available to communities across Cork city and highlight the interagency website (www.mysexualhealth.ie) as a resource for all.
“Ireland’s first Sexual Health Network is hosting a conference in Cork City Council with a focus on developing capacity across the education, healthcare and social care sectors to better respond to sexual health concerns,” explained Catherine Kennedy, manager of the Cork Sexual Health Centre.
“The keynote address, delivered by Dr Kate Dawson from the National University of Ireland, Galway, will focus on pornography.
“Pornography continues to be an emerging public health issue across the globe,” added Ms Kennedy.
“Kate’s PhD research at the School of Psychology focused on internet pornography and the development of an evidence base for a youth-centred pornography literacy intervention, which aims to promote critical engagement with pornographic content.
“The conference presentation will focus on how services can effectively respond to client, service user and population need.”
Pic: Dan Linehan - Cork City Hall
GCN: CIT LGBT+ Society host first Gender and Sexuality Alliance Training Day for secondary schools - Oisin Kenny
On January 23 2020, CIT LGBT+ Society proudly launched the training day for teachers and students alike.
On January 23 2020, CIT LGBT+ Society proudly launched the training day for teachers and students alike.
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) LGBT+ Society launched its first Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Training Day. The event paves the way for the future development of resources and information to empower secondary schools in establishing their own clubs and projects.
Last year, the society published their handbook How to set up a Gay/Straight or Gender & Sexuality Alliance in your school. In January this year, the Institute hosted the first GSA Training Day, consisting of multiple workshops for people to choose from. 130 secondary school teachers and students from around Cork City and County attended the event.
During the day there were numerous workshops covering a wide range of topics, including LGBT+ terminology, consent, self-confidence, Trans and Non-Binary 101, and how to be an ally.
Chairperson of CIT LGBT+ Society, Konrad Im said, “We’re absolutely blown away with the support we received for our first GSA Training Day from our sponsors, CIT and the students and teachers that came along. We feel blessed to be in a position to run these kinds of important events for young people and we’re hoping this event can become an annual fixture in our calendar.”
Im further stated, “Feedback for the event has been very positive with many students saying they’re so happy such an event now exists and they’re already looking forward to next year. For myself and my fellow committee members it’s been a heart-warming experience to sit in on some of the workshops.”
The website GSA Ireland has been created to support secondary school students in setting up their own Gender and Sexuality Alliance clubs. Resources and materials will soon be added to the site to provide further assistance.
The workshops were overseen by multiple organisations, including Gay Project, LINC, UP Cork LGBT+ Youth Group, Youth Work Ireland Cork, BeLonG To Youth Services, Sexual Health Centre Cork, Gender Rebels, and the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services. The incredible Ms Gay Ireland Stephanie Fogarty facilitated one of the talks.
Konrad Im continued, “To see the students engage in such a positive way throughout the workshops and hearing how smart they are really inspires hope for the future. We’re excited to see how far we can take this project.”
EchoLive: Cork centre sees rise in older people seeking help after contracting STIs - Sarah Horgan
A NUMBER of people in their seventies are reaching out to the Sexual Health Clinic after contracting STIs.
A NUMBER of people in their seventies are reaching out to the Sexual Health Clinic after contracting STIs.
Dr Martin Davoren said there has been a significant increase in older people visiting the centre with suspected conditions like gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
The clinic offers information, support, and education in the areas of sexual health, wellbeing, sexuality, and healthy relationships.
Despite operating since 1987, Dr Davoren said that dealing with older service users with STIs — infections passed through sexual contact — is a relatively new phenomenon.
“We talk a lot about sex education today,” he said.
“Yes, it needs to be improved but it’s a lot better than what was available 30 years ago.
“A number of people have very little sex education knowledge, so in some ways, it’s not surprising that STIs are on the increase within that cohort.”
He said that everyone should be protecting their sexual health regardless of age.
“It’s important that older people are doing what everyone else is doing and that’s taking care of their sexual health,” he said.
Dr Davoren spoke of how the needs of service users have evolved over the years.
“When you think of Ireland as a society we have changed dramatically,” he said.
“Because of the introduction of divorce in Ireland, people who entered relationships in their 20s are newly single in their 50s and 60s. Sexual health is something that changes through the ages.
“We deal with everyone from the homeless, to the LGBT community as well as older people.
“The most important thing for us is to remain non-judgemental, especially in the area of sexual health.”
He stressed that STIs don’t discriminate, adding: “A lot of us have this unrealistic attitude that this will never happen to us. Our aim is to tackle and reformulate mindsets.”
Dr Davoren explained why linking STIs with the younger generation is a common misconception.
“Sexual health is an aspect of everyone’s life,” he said. “Much of the time when people think of STIs, they think of young people. It’s part of the human condition to compartmentalise people or place them in a bubble.
“However, STI’s don’t do that. They can affect anyone at any time. This is just like your common cold, flu or any other bacterial infection.”
According to Dr Davoren, stigma around sexual health remains a common concern.
“Sexual health still gets stigmatised,” he said. “People still joke about it because they find it hard to talk about, but it’s part of who we are.
“If you partake in any kind of risk-taking, it’s important to take care of yourself.”
He stressed that in recent times, STIs are presenting even more challenges.
“Overtime gonorrhea has progressively developed resistance to the antibiotic drugs prescribed to treat it,” he explained.
“We didn’t have that problem before so there are new challenges all the time.”
Dr Davoren appealed to anyone with concerns about their sexual health to get in touch: “Our aim is to give the answers to the questions that are most personal and most important to you.”
For more information on the Sexual Health Centre visit www.sexualhealthcentre.com. The centre can be contacted by email at info@sexualhealthcentre.com or by calling 021 4275837. For more information on STIs visit www.hivireland.ie.
GCN: Action needed as Cork excluded from nationwide PrEP rollout - Oisin Kenny
On November 4, a nationwide PrEP rollout programme went into effect, however, Cork has been left out. Cork Gay Project calls for immediate action.
On November 4, a nationwide PrEP rollout programme went into effect, however, Cork has been left out. Cork Gay Project calls for immediate action.
The Gay Project has called on the HSE and Department of Health for the immediate open of a HIV prevention clinic in Cork as “a matter of urgency.”
Since November 4, the Department of Health launched a nationwide PrEP programme as part of Budget 2020, however, Cork has been overlooked. The Gay Project Director, Pádraig Rice said, “It’s scandalous that the government have failed to make PrEP available to the people of Cork as part of its new €5.4 million PrEP programmes.”
Rice further stated, “The Government can’t call this a National Programme when there is no provision in the second-largest city – this is a huge, inexcusable gap in coverage.”
Part of the PrEP programme is to ensure that people have free access to the medication. Included in phase one of the rollout, service-users will monitor for side effects, test for HIV and STIs, and provide counselling services.
Though largely seen as a step forward for healthcare in Ireland, The Gay Project has noted the oversight resulting in Cork being excluded from the programme. Rice said, “We were told there was one planned for Cork University Hospital, but that proposal never materialised. I can’t understand how people at risk of HIV in Cork can be neglected like this. PrEP has the potential to prevent hundreds of new HIV infections. We can’t be left behind – this is too important.”
The Gay Project is calling on Minister for Health Simon Harris to intervene and establish a HIV prevention clinic in Cork. Rice said, “The Minister must intervene to resolve whatever issues may be at play within the HSE here in Cork – including staffing issues.”
Working alongside the Sexual Health Centre, The Gay Project has been providing free, rapid HIV tests once a month. The group has continuously promoted the U=U (undetectable = untransmittable) message.
As Rice states, “These two developments, together with PrEP have the potential to end new HIV transmissions in Ireland – but this PrEP programme must be accessible and truly nationwide. Sadly right now it isn’t.”
EchoLive: Cork is the only city without a specialised HIV prevention clinic - Roisin Burke
CORK is the only city without a PrEP HIV prevention clinic and Cork’s Gay Project is calling on the HSE to create a unit in Ireland’s second city.
CORK is the only city without a PrEP HIV prevention clinic and Cork’s Gay Project is calling on the HSE to create a unit in Ireland’s second city.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a safe and highly effective drug that prevents the contraction of HIV.
The Gay Project Director Pádraig Rice said it’s scandalous that the government have failed to make PrEP available to the people of Cork as part of its new €5.4 million PrEP programme.
“The Government can’t call this a National Programme when there is no provision in the second-largest city – this is a huge, inexcusable gap in coverage.”
Mr Rice said that as of November 4 there are clinics in smaller cities and towns like Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Portlaoise.
“We were told there was one planned for Cork University Hospital but that proposal never materialised. I can’t understand how people at risk of HIV in Cork can be neglected like this. PrEP has the potential to prevent hundreds of new HIV infections. We can’t be left behind – this is too important.”
Pic: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at a HIV Ireland event
EchoLive: Cork GP warning as the number of syphilis cases doubles - Darragh Bermingham
GPs across Cork and the south have been warned of a 63% increase in the number of Syphilis cases in the region this year.
GPs across Cork and the south have been warned of a 63% increase in the number of Syphilis cases in the region this year.
Surveillance to date this year has identified 41 cases in HSE South compared to 15 cases for the same period in 2018.
Management of HSE South wrote to GPs in the region highlighting the increase in figures.
The email said that the Department of Public Health and HSE South has noticed an increase in the number of Syphilis cases in the southern region.
The email states: “Data from the departments show that the majority of cases are in the 25-34 yr old age group (54%) with the main risk factor being men who have sex with men (MSM) (66%).
“This letter is to raise your awareness of the increase in syphilis cases and to request your support in ensuring that patients who attend your surgery for STI screening/symptoms suggestive of syphilis have screening tests performed.
Pic: iStock
Irish Times: STI sufferers forced to travel to other counties, charities claim
Some people have to travel to different counties to avail of screening for sexually transmitted infections due to a shortage of public STI clinics in parts of the country, charities have claimed.
Some people have to travel to different counties to avail of screening for sexually transmitted infections due to a shortage of public STI clinics in parts of the country, charities have claimed.
There are currently 23 HSE-funded STI clinics in the State, based in 16 counties, figures from the health service show.
Ten counties – Cavan, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Wexford and Wicklow – have no public STI clinics.
A survey of the clinics, published last year, showed that of the 23 clinics, seven of them have had to cancel sessions as a result of people being on annual leave. Waterford has to cancel approximately 12 clinics per year due to this issue, the report said.
Some 18 of the clinics also reported waiting lists for patients, ranging from two to seven weeks. The STI clinic in University Hospital Kerry had the longest waiting list with seven weeks, while a Dublin-based clinic had a waiting list of up to six weeks.
Adam Shanley, the programme manager for men who have sex with men (MSM) in HIV Ireland, said that greater funding and resources is necessary to “alleviate some of the stress” on the system.
“We know that people are having to travel to other counties to access services, and others attempting to access services may potentially be turned away due to capacity issues,” Mr Shanley said.
Capacity levels
“What we need to be sure of is that people have access to their sexual health and wellbeing needs in places that are convenient to them. There are places in the country where travelling certain amounts of distances is acceptable and it’s understood by people, but for others it might not be so.”
Mr Shanley warned that the current capacity levels could have a negative impact on the roll out of PreP, a drug which prevents HIV from spreading through sexual partners.
“If we’re going to make this incredible HIV-prevention tool available, part of that solution is to have three-monthly – every quarter – access to sexual health services,” he said.
“For that to happen, if we have services that are already at capacity, to add an extra level of people to it, then services would really need to be properly funded and resourced.”
The Sexual Health Centre, a charity based in Cork, said the number of inquiries it received about screening increased by almost 80 per cent last year, from 1,600 in 2017 to 2,822 in 2018.
Removing stigma
Nadia Reckmann, from the Sexual Health Centre, said there was a need to increase capacity to meet the increase in demand. The charity also reported that some service users are coming from outside Cork.
“We are always encouraging people to get more testing, and we are slowly removing the stigma around sexual health, so there’s a lot more awareness and a lot more people getting tested,” Ms Reckmann said.
There was a 7 per cent increase in the number of STI cases diagnosed in the State last year when compared with 2017, according to figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
A spokeswoman for the HSE said work with existing sexual health services is ongoing to “improve the availability of quality prevention, testing and treatment services available”.
“STI/HIV testing is also available throughout the country in a variety of community settings, such as student health services, community NGOs, hospitals and GPs,” the spokeswoman added.
Neil Prendeville on RedFM: Annual Report figures
Centre Manager was interviewed on the show about the figures of the Annual Report, the rate of STIs and the state of sexual health in general.
Centre Manager was interviewed on the show about the figures of the Annual Report, the rate of STIs and the state of sexual health in general.
RedFM: The Sexual Health Centre In Cork Says A Fear Still Exists Around HIV
A greater discussion is needed here in Cork in order to stop the spread of the virus, according to the group.
A greater discussion is needed here in Cork in order to stop the spread of the virus, according to the group.
The Centre released its annual report for 2018 recently which shows that HIV continues to be an ongoing issue Leeside with some of the highest figures reported for HIV incidence.
The clinic say they're hopeful the Health Minister will introduce the HIV prevention drug PREP free as part of the budget.
It's after a recent report found it's safe and highly effective and could prevent 173 HIV infections in the first five years of its implementation.
Speaking to RedFM News Catherine Kennedy of the Sexual Health Centre Cork says there's a long road ahead in the fight to combat HIV:
Cork's 96fm Opinion Line: Annual Report figures
The Centre Manager is interviewed on Cork’s 96fm Opinion Line on the facts behind the figures of the Annual Report 2018.
The Centre Manager is interviewed on Cork’s 96fm Opinion Line on the facts behind the figures of the Annual Report 2018.
Irish Times: Women seeking post-abortion counselling doubles in Cork
The number of women seeking post-abortion counselling at the largest dedicated sexual health clinic in Cork more than doubled last year compared with 2017, according to its annual report.
The number of women seeking post-abortion counselling at the largest dedicated sexual health clinic in Cork more than doubled last year compared with 2017, according to its annual report.
The Sexual Health Centre, which has operated in the city for more than 30 years, provided 157 sessions of post-termination counselling last year, compared with 77 in the previous year.
Some of those coming for counselling had abortions up to 20 years ago, said director of services Catherine Kennedy.
“For us there were a number of things happening last year where people really opened up a lot more about crisis pregnancies, terminations, sexual health and their concerns about all these, and to talk about them. There was obviously a lot of coverage around abortion with the referendum, people were telling their stories and talking about difficult decisions and their impact on them.
Difficult decision
“Women and couples weren’t coming only about recent terminations, but also about terminations five, 10, 15 or 20 years ago. There was a lot of coverage of fatal foetal abnormalities. It can be a very difficult decision to have a termination in those circumstances and people came for counselling about that.”
There was a steady increase in demand for crisis pregnancy counselling too, from 110 sessions in 2017 to 141 last year.
Ms Kennedy said the case which became known as the Belfast rape trial had led to “a lot of discussion about consent”.
Rugby players Paddy Jackson (26) and Stuart Olding (25) were both unanimously cleared last year of raping a then 19-year-old woman at a party in Mr Jackson’s house following a night out in Belfast in June 2016.
Blane McIlroy (26) was unanimously cleared of a charge of exposure, while Rory Harrison (25) was unanimously found not guilty of perverting the course of justice and withholding information at the same trial.
Meanwhile, the Sexual Health Centre’s 2018 annual report, published on Tuesday, detailed a 68 per cent increase in the number of people inquiring about sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening last year, to 2,822 compared with 1,676 in 2017.
Concerns
“To support the expression of one’s preferred gender identity, at the centre we promote gender-neutral approach to sexual health in general and STI screening in particular. In light of that, we refrained from presenting the results through a dual gender breakdown,” says the report.
The largest proportion, 31 per cent, of new clients with concerns about sexual health were aged 25 to 34 years, with 21 per cent aged 44 years or older. In all, 18 per cent were aged 17 to 24 and 18 per cent were aged 35 to 44. Two per cent were 17 or younger.
A total of 479 counselling sessions on sexual health and/or HIV concerns were provided, along with 89 on LGBTI+ issues.
The centre provides free condoms and last year distributed 21,970. This service accounted for 66 per cent of all inquiries last year, with 17 per cent about STI screening.
EchoLive: Demand for sex health help in Cork soars as 2,822 enquire about STI screening
In total, 2,822 people enquired about STI screening in 2018, indicating a 68% increase compared to the year before.
THE Cork Sexual Health Centre facilitated 385 counselling sessions on crisis pregnancies last year.
The centre, which was established in July 1987 as Cork Aids Alliance, has published its annual report with figures indicating a significant rise in public demand for sexual health services, counselling and support.
The report revealed that staff at the centre saw requests for counselling and support increase by 37% in 12 months, with post-abortion counselling seeing an increase of 104% and crisis pregnancy counselling rising to 385 sessions from 282 the year before.
The centre revealed that it facilitated 479 counselling sessions for people living with or affected by HIV, the majority of whom were aged between 24 and 35.
The centre also conducted more than 800 free Rapid HIV tests, where results are available in one minute, on-site and in community settings across Cork city and county last year.
In total, 2,822 people enquired about STI screening in 2018, indicating a 68% increase compared to the year before.
In 2018, the Cork Sexual Health Centre saw a 13% increase in overall client queries compared to 2017 with the most common queries concerning access to free contraception, followed by requests for STI screening.
“Numbers attending for sexual health, crisis pregnancy, HIV, sexuality and relationship advice continues to increase highlighting the community need for high quality, professional and inclusive services,” said Ciarán Lynch, chairman at the Sexual Health Centre.
Catherine Kennedy, manager of the centre, also put the increased demand down to the growing conversation surrounding sexual health.
Ms Kennedy recently revealed to The Echo that the post-termination counselling service has experienced more calls in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Abortions up to 12 weeks were made legal in Ireland on January 1, 2019, following last year’s repeal of the Eighth Amendment.
“I think the debate leading up to the referendum gave women in Cork a voice and let them have access services that they previously may not have felt comfortable accessing,” she explained.
“It gave both men and women a chance to reflect on choices they may have made in the past but didn’t feel comfortable sharing.”
Ms Kennedy added that the unique partnership between sexual health groups in Cork, the Sexual Health Network, is adding to the increase of people in Cork who are keen to get tested and raise awareness.
“There seems to be a national conversation at the moment and it appears that people are more open to talking about sexual health,” she said .
She added, however, that the conversation needs to continue and expand to ensure education, along with prevention and screening is effective.
“We need this to be a year-round conversation, not just a once-off thing near World Aids Day, to be effective,” said Ms Kennedy.
RedFM: There's Been A 100% Increase In The Number Of People Availing Of Post-Abortion Counselling Services
The figures have been published in this year's annual Cork’s Sexual Health Centre report.
That's according to the Cork Sexual Health Centre
The figures have been published in this year's annual CSHC report.
Post-termination counselling in Cork saw an increase of 104% in total in 2018,compared to figures from the year previous.
Abortions up to 12 weeks were made legal on the 1st of January this year.
Speaking to RedFM News, Manager of the Cork Sexual Health Centre Catherine Kennedy believes the build up to this referendum was a key factor to this sharp increase:
Irish Examiner: Demand for post-abortion support more than doubles
Demand for post-termination counselling more than doubled last year, the Sexual Health Centre in Cork has reported.
Demand for post-termination counselling more than doubled last year, the Sexual Health Centre in Cork has reported.
The centre provided 157 post-abortion support sessions last year, compared to 77 in 2017, a 104% increase.
Centre manager, Catherine Kennedy, said the increase in counselling sessions occurred at a time when Ireland voted to repeal the 8th amendment of the Constitution.
“We were about to vote in a very important referendum last year and I think the media coverage got people thinking; it got people talking,” said Ms Kennedy.
There was also a 37% increase in crisis pregnancy-related counselling sessions, compared to 2017.
“People knew that they could come to the centre to talk about all their options and that the service was free and accessible,” said Ms Kennedy.
Inquiries about screening for sexually transmitted diseases increased by more than two-thirds in 2018.
The centre, which is open to men and women, received 2,822 inquiries last year, compared to 1,676 in 2017.
It also offers free rapid HIV testing, of which it conducted 809 last year. The tests were provided on-site and in community settings across Cork city and county.The centre provides support and counselling for people living with or affected by HIV, last year holding 479 counselling sessions.
More than half (55%) of the people who used the counselling service were between the age of 24 and 35.
The centre continues to offer an out of hours STI screening service one night a week at its premises on Peters Street in Cork.
The Sexual Health Centre is a not for profit, non-governmental organisation that was originally established in July 1987 as Cork AIDS Alliance.
Catherine Kennedy said the increase in queries about STI testing was very much about more awareness and very much about people needing more testing.
“People are looking at sexual health as part of their overall wellbeing and that's how it should be,” she said.
The centre provides a range of services, including sexual health, crisis pregnancy, post-termination, HIV healthy relationships and free condom provision.
It began providing professional counselling to young people from the LGBTI+ community in 2018.
A total of 84 sessions were provided over an eight week period.
It also introduced a training programme aimed at increasing confidence among youth workers and professionals when dealing with sexual health issues.
Both services were made available through capacity-building grants from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
The centre has eight full-time staff and six Community Employment Scheme workers.
EchoLive: Move to increase access to contraception welcomed
The Cork Sexual Health Centre has welcomed the announcement of a public consultation on increasing access to contraception.
The Cork Sexual Health Centre has welcomed the announcement of a public consultation on increasing access to contraception.
Minister for Health Simon Harris launched the public consultation, which will remain open until midnight on August 5 and is available on the Department of Health website, on Tuesday.
He said that removing barriers to contraception in a key priority.
Catherine Kennedy, manager of the CSHC, welcomed the move and highlighted the need for a dedicated contraception clinic in Cork.
“It’s a hugely positive step because, here at the SHC, we believe there isn’t equitable services for contraceptive clinics in Cork,” she told The Echo.
“There are services like Well Woman and various other clinics in Dublin but here in Cork, people are struggling to access such services.
“At the moment, contraceptive services in Cork is GP led and we all know that general practice is struggling to keep up with demand already,” she added.
“We hope that this public consultation makes the government realise the need for greater contraception services and a dedicated clinic in Cork.
“Services like these need to be accessible across Ireland and if it was run with the help of or alongside non-government organisations like ourselves, it would take pressure of GPs and allow greater access for people.
Earlier this year, Minister Harris established a Working Group to consider issues relating to enhanced access to contraception, following the recommendation of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment.
“We have begun that work through the expansion of free access to condoms this year,” he said.
“However, it is important that we hear from the public and stakeholders and allow them to have their say on this issue.
“I would encourage all those with an interest to engage with the Department’s consultation before it concludes.”
Beat 102-103: Open Your Eyes To STIs (audio)
After being diagnosed with with chlamydia at 23, Michelle analyses Irish attitudes to sexual health in her documentary, Open Your Eyes to STIs.
Michelle Heffernan was diagnosed with chlamydia when she was 23- she was totally shocked as she had no symptoms & no idea how easily an STI could be passed on.
Seven years on, Michelle explores what the South East knows about safe sex and analyses Irish attitudes to sexual health in her documentary, Open Your Eyes to STIs.
The interview features an input from the Executive Director of the Sexual Health Centre, Dr Martin Davoren.