One-stop centres for sex health services

SEXUAL health services in Oldham are modernising to ensure they offer help and advice that is fit for the future.

As part of the move, the family planning clinic will now be known as the contraception and sexual health service, or CASH.

The name change aims to better reflect the wide range of services on offer and to ensure people in Oldham know exactly what is available to them and when.

The previous name was thought to be a contributing factor to the low uptake of men accessing the service, who thought the service was female-based.

The team also wanted to emphasise the fact the service did more than issue pills and condoms — it also provides smear tests, pregnancy tests, and diagnosis and treatment of some sexually transmitted infections.

The CASH service is provided by Oldham Community Health Services, part of NHS Oldham and healthcare workers and the public attended a launch event last week.

Alyson Wadsworth, nurse manager, said: “It’s really important that people know exactly what we offer.

“Our service encompasses both men and women of all ages, including those under the age of 16.

The free and confidential service can be accessed at the following drop-in clinics:

::Moorside Medical Centre, Ripponden Road, Mondays 3.30pm to 5.30pm

::Glodwick Primary Care Centre, Glodwick Road, Tuesdays 1pm to 3pm, and Fridays 10am to 12.30pm.

::Cannon Street Health Centre, Cannon Street, Wednesdays 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Thursdays 12noon to 1.15pm, and Fridays 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

::Failsworth Primary Care Centre, Ashton Road West, Wednesdays 9.30am and 11.30am.

::Crompton Health Centre, High Street, Shaw, Thursdays 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Alternatively, call 0161-906 2815 during office hours.