FSRH, BASHH and BHIVA release joint contingency plan to protect essential sexual health, reproductive health and HIV care during COVID-19 outbreak

Along with the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and the British HIV Association (BHIVA), we have released a joint contingency plan which sets out sector priorities in sexual health (SH), reproductive health (RH) and HIV services during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The plan was drawn up in response to concerns that those working in SH, RH and HIV services are facing major disruption due to the impact of COVID-19. It outlines formal recommendations for the Government support needed to ensure these services are equipped to put in place immediate short-term COVID-19 contingency measures, as well as medium and longer-term steps that need to be taken in the coming weeks and months.

FSRH, BASHH and BHIVA are calling for the Government to introduce a national ‘digital first’ SH and RH service across the UK and to make urgent changes to specific legislation and regulatory frameworks that will facilitate the immediate removal of barriers to abortion and contraceptive care. We are also calling for measures to secure easier access to emergency elements of STI and contraceptive care, and continued access to contraception and STI/HIV care which will prevent medium- and long-term adverse health outcomes.

In addition, the plan sets out a four-step process to achieve the ambitions outlined above. The process includes temporary investment into current services to ensure their continued operation, and a longer-term scale up of services’ digital infrastructure to provide a single point of access for the general public. 

You can read the full contingency plan here.