Faculty Of Sexual And Reproductive Healthcare Response To ONS Statistics On Teenage Conceptions

Following the release of teenage conception statistics, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health highlights the importance of high quality contraception, and calls for sexual and reproductive health services to be a public health priority.

In light of new ONS teenage conception statistics released today, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare issued the following statement:

Whilst today's statistics highlight that there has been a very small increase in teenage conceptions over the past quarter, the overall teenage pregnancy rate is nevertheless still in decline.

What today's figures highlight is that it is as important as ever that sexual and reproductive health services are a public health priority and investment is maintained. With 11 per cent of the female population aged between 13 and 44 attending contraceptive clinics each year*, sexual and reproductive health services play a vital role in health and well being.

Furthermore, the economic benefits of high quality, sexual and reproductive health services are well documented; the Department of Health estimates that for every £1 spent on contraceptive services, £11 is saved and the NHS in England could save over £100m each year by increasing the use of long acting reversible contraception.

However, future achievements rely on our ability to maintain a skilled workforce that is fully trained to provide this full range of contraceptive choices. Therefore, in this challenging economic climate, and in light of today's statistics, it is crucial that sexual and reproductive health remains a public health priority, so that we can build on these achievements, continue to innovate our services, and maintain a skilled workforce capable of delivering high quality services that provide a full range of contraceptive choices for all women.

Notes

- *in 2008-09

- Office of National Statistics data released on 24th August 2010, revealed that the teenage pregnancy rate has increased from 9,781 in March 2009, to 10,050 in June 2009. However, these data sets represent a decrease in the previous rate of 10,145 in December 2008. ONS data tables can be found on the ONS website.

- The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (formerly called the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was established on the 26th March 1993.

- It grants diplomas, certificates, fellowships and equivalent recognition of specialist knowledge and skills in family planning and reproductive health care.

- It has approximately 12,000 medical members in the UK of whom 8,000 are general practitioners.

- As a body it promotes conferences and lectures, provides members with an advisory service and publishes The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.

Source:
Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health