Sexual health clinics to close

A south Worcestershire sexual health clinic is to close and three others may follow despite rising national concerns about sexually-transmitted diseases.

South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust has confirmed that the clinic in Droitwich will close at the end of August and at least three others in the area may follow.

The news comes as health professionals called for a nationwide screening programme for Britain's most common sexually-transmitted infection at the start of Sexual Health Week.

The Family Planning Association said testing women under the age of 25 for chlamydia, often called the "silent infection", was "a must" if the number of people being diagnosed with the condition was to be cut.

The Trust said the closures are the result of budget cuts across all healthcare in the county.

But it stressed it will do all everything possible to maintain sexual health services in those areas that need it most.