WARRINGTON’S Centre for Sexual Health has been nominated for a prestigious regional award following its major participation in a national research project promoting safer sex and regular testing to young people via text message.
The service, which is based at Bath Street Health and Wellbeing Centre and delivered by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is a research site in the Safetxt study and has been named as a finalist in The Best Community Research Contribution category in the forthcoming Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards.
In the UK, young adults aged 16 to 24 bear the heaviest burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. Repeated infections which are left untreated have long-term adverse health effects. The Safetxt study is testing the effectiveness of sending text messages promoting safe sex and regular testing over the course of a year to young adults with a positive chlamydia or gonorrhoea test result. The study team will then see whether after 12 months these messages have had a positive effect on treatment, condom use and communicating with their partners about STIs, which can all reduce infection and reinfection.
Dr Pippa Brough, Clinical Director for Sexual Health at Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and study co-investigator said:“We are extremely proud of the positive contribution we have made to this national research study. Warrington’s Centre for Sexual Health is committed to not only providing a high quality confidential advice and testing service to the local community, we are also passionate about research in the area to help reduce future levels of sexual transmitted infections.
“The awards received over 160 nominations this year so it’s a real credit to the hard work and dedication of the team that we have been recognised as finalists.”
Debbie Vinsun, Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester Chief Operating Officer, said: “I would like to sincerely thank Bridgewater and our partner organisations across Greater Manchester for once again showing such great enthusiasm for the Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards.
“The continued level of engagement has been reflected in a record number of nominations which presented the panel with our most difficult judging process to date.
“With such high quality competition, the criteria to make the final shortlist was very demanding and Warrington Centre for Sexual Health, along with each of teams and individuals who have been selected truly have excelled.
“I would like to congratulate the team on this excellent achievement and also applaud the brilliant efforts of all our nominees.”
The award winners will be revealed at the Radisson Blue Edwardian hotel on Peter Street, Manchester, on the evening of Thursday November 9 2017.
Find out more about the work of Warrington’s Centre for Sexual Health at www.bridgewatersexualhealth.nhs.uk.
