Shadow health minister Simon Burns, who is MP for West Chelmsford, has called on the government to take urgent action to contend with a dramatic increase in the level of sexually transmitted diseases.

Mr Burns is a member of the Commons Health Select Committee, which has produced a report on sexual health, highlighting the latest figures on STIs (sexually transmitted infections.)

"In the last few years ignorance, complacency and changing sexual habits have led to an explosion in STIs, particularly amongst younger people" said Mr Burns.

"The government's response has been slow and complacent. In many parts of the country clinical services are close to collapse.

"There are long waiting lists to be seen to get medical treatment and low prioritisation of the services available to cope with the problem. The government must address this problem urgently."

Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Brought to you by the Essex Chronicle