6. To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that information on sexually transmitted infections is accessible, in light of STIQ day and the reported rising number of cases of sexually transmitted infections in Scotland. (S6F-02719)

Ensuring that people have access to the information and services that they need to make informed choices and to take care of their sexual health is vital, which is why there are outcomes in our “Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Action Plan 2023-2026”. The plan, which was published in November last year, sets out the priority areas for action over the next three years and is backed by £1.7 million of Government funding. The Scottish Government is funding a number of projects to support those priorities, including the development of a new sexual health website, which is hosted by NHS Inform, and the production of accessible animated information resources on key sexual health topics, including testing for sexually transmitted infections, in a range of community languages. Vaccinations against STIs also continue to be important in protection and the treatment of disease.

Research published last year by the

BMJ found that young people in rural and island communities face practical and social barriers to support for sexual wellbeing. Will the First Minister outline what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure access to timely STI testing in those areas?

The First Minister:

Evelyn Tweed rightly raises an important point about the particular complexities and nuances that rural communities face in relation to sexual health care. Rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to accessing healthcare, and it is no different for sexual health care. That is why we do not believe that one size fits all, particularly when it comes to delivering healthcare. National health service boards are the experts on their communities, which is why we work with them to ensure that they take appropriate approaches that are tailored to local needs.

We have invested in a number of projects through our sexual health and BBV action plan, with a significant focus on rural communities. Those projects include providing outreach services in Ayrshire and Arran and exploring the delivery of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in primary care in Grampian.

Given the importance that the First Minister places on the issue, I ask him to acknowledge that access to in-person sexual health services is often limited, particularly, as was mentioned, in rural areas. Even in more urban areas, clinic times can be limited to one session per week, and NHS Inform indicates that workforce pressures are causing operational hours to be changeable. Given all of that, what additional investment has been made in sexual health services to ensure that face-to-face appointments can be provided appropriately when requested?

The First Minister:

The member makes a very important point. A number of people will want that face-to-face service and a number of people will not. We should all say collectively that there is no stigma around sexual health. People should be able to access the care that they want when they want it and however they want it, be it face to face or otherwise.

On the funding that we are providing, I have mentioned the action plan, which is backed by £1.7 million of funding to improve sexual health and blood-borne virus outcomes. Grants totalling £800,000 have been distributed between a wide range of projects, including high-quality innovative projects with health boards, third sector organisations and academia. Many of them provide the face-to-face service that Carol Mochan rightly mentioned.

On wider funding for the health service, I am pleased that, notwithstanding the fact that our budget has been subject to swingeing cuts from the UK Government, we have increased our investment in the NHS to a record £19.5 billion.

The Presiding Officer:

We move to general and constituency questions.