Gymslip mum numbers tumble

TEENAGE pregnancy rates in Oldham are at their lowest ever as the borough has recorded one of the biggest rate falls in the country.

Teenage pregnancy has fallen by almost two-thirds since since 1998. The latest data, for 2013, shows Oldham’s under-18 conception rate now stands at 22.6 in 1,000, significantly under the England and Wales average of 25.7.

Oldham has the seen the largest reduction in pregnancies outside London and Darlington since 1998 - a reduction being attributed to the work of the Oldham Teenage Pregnancy Partnership.

The partnership involves Oldham Council, the NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Positive Steps Oldham and the voluntary sector.