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GPs hit out at plan to cut sexual health services

LMC leaders have criticised a PCT’s plans to cap practice funding for providing sexual health services to the under-25s, claiming the restrictions are clinically and financially inappropriate.

NHS Manchester plans to limit the number of patients practices will be reimbursed for treating after claiming some exceeded budgets this year.

But Manchester LMC said the services were ‘completely appropriate’, as practices exceeding budgets were catering for huge student populations, and providing a valuable service. Dr John Hughes, honorary secretary, told Pulse one affected practice, which had been shortlisted for an award for its sexual health service, had a ‘one-in-five pick up rate… at least double what [sexual health] clinics are picking up’. He said: ‘We are extremely unhappy that they are potentially putting patients at risk, and potentially affecting their own public health targets.’

NHS Manchester said: ‘There is a need to review the element relating to under-25s, given the other sexual health services aimed at this age group.’


          

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