Torbay Care Trust has been working with pharmacies across Torbay to provide free Chlamydia testing kits to under 25’s. Following a successful pilot scheme 10 pharmacies across the three towns are now providing testing kits.

The two month pilot which took place in Sarsons Pharmacy, Paignton and Watcombe Pharmacy aimed to provide young people with further opportunities to pick up a test and look after their sexual health. As the most common sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia is thought to affect around 1 in 12 young people aged 16- 25 years, and if left untreated it can have serious consequences on long term health.

 Debbie Stark, Director of Public Health for Torbay said: “As the most common STI it is important that young people have as much opportunity as possible to get tested and treated for Chlamydia.

 “Chlamydia is sometimes known as the silent infection as it often presents no symptoms. If left untreated it can lead to serious health problems such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and arthritis, so it is great to see we now have so many pharmacies providing testing. 

 “It gives young people in Torbay greater choice, convenience and access when it comes to looking after their sexual health.”

 Mark Healey, Pharmacist at Sarsons Pharmacy, Paignton said: “We are pleased to see the initial pilot scheme has been a success and it shows the important role that pharmacy can play in supporting young people to look after their sexual health.

“As a pharmacy we already provide a range of advice and services to help people look after their health and we are often approached for sexual health advice or have one to one consultations with young people. With this scheme we are now able to offer a young person the chance to take a test from the premises rather than signposting them.

 “Having kits available in pharmacies provides young people with convenience as well as anonymity. It is great to hear that this has been rolled out further.”

 Young people under the age of 25 are able to pick up the kits free of charge to take home. Details of all the pharmacies that provide Chlamydia testing can be found on www.s-wize.co.uk  

 National Sexual Health Week will be taking place between the 13^th- 19^th September and is urging people of all ages to look after their sexual health.