Cash to cut teenage pregnancy

Medway's teenage pregnancy rate is higher than the national average

Funding to help reduce teenage pregnancy rates and support young mothers in Medway has been almost doubled.

The Department of Health has increased its funding to Medway Council by £45,000, taking the total to £105,000 for this financial year.

The money is intended to help Medway cut its teenage pregnancy rates - which are slightly higher than the national average at 44.7 conceptions in 2001 for every 1,000 girls aged under 18.

Medway's teenage pregnancy co-ordinator Lyndsey Woolmore said the majority of the extra funding would go to services to support teenage parents.

Condoms in schools

Teachers will also be offered extra training to deliver sex and relationship education in schools.

The aim is to encourage young people to think more carefully about health issues and contraception before starting sexual relationships.

More pharmacies will be equipped to offer emergency contraception, or morning after pill.

Ms Woolmore said the council would also support any schools which might wish to provide condoms to pupils.

No evidence

She rejected the suggestion this might encourage sexual activity.

She said: "There's no evidence to show that speaking to young people about sex and relationships and providing condoms encourages them.

"What we are trying to do is give young people the best information, the best access to contraception and let them make their own decisions."

Ms Woolmore said new posts would be created to work with young parents and see what they needed both during and after pregnancy.

Someone will also be appointed to co-ordinate support across health and social care services, she said.