COUNCILLORS fear there could be a spike in sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies in Stroud due to planned changes to health services.

But Gloucestershire County Council says there will be no changes to contraceptive services provided by GPs and pharmacies.

An assessment of sexual health services in the county has led to the authorities deciding to alter the way people access help in order to provide “the residents of Gloucestershire best value for money”.

Although the exact details of the changes are still being decided, two Labour councillors say that GPs have raised concerns about the plans.

Steve Lydon, the leader of Stroud District Council, said: “I have been contacted by a number of local organisations and GPs.

“I am fearful that this will see an increase in STIs and make access to contraception harder for local people.

“Already we are seeing the number of clinics have been cut and we are about to see the whole service cut.

“Local health professionals have had a good track record in supporting long acting contraception and in reducing teenage pregnancy rates “I am formally raising this as an urgent matter with the county council and clinical commissioning group, and endeavouring to get to the bottom of how these cuts were agreed.”

Cllr Doina Cornell added "As the Stroud District Council representative on the County Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) and a Dursley councillor, I will be asking at HOSC if these cuts are aimed at saving money and how will the NHS cope when we see a rise in STDs and increases in teenage pregnancy?

“This is what our local doctors tell us will happen.

“We all know young people this will adversely affect - these are real lives, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They need local services in their community with staff they know and trust.”

But a Gloucestershire County Council spokesman said the contraceptive services provided by GPs and pharmacies would remain the same.

"New sexual health services for Gloucestershire are being developed with Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust (GCS), the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Local Medical Committee (LMC) representing GPs in the county,” the spokesman said.

“This is in response to recommendations from an assessment of sexual health needs of Gloucestershire, and a requirement to ensure we are offering the residents of Gloucestershire best value for money.

“Our priority is to provide specialist sexual health services to those who need it most, such as young people.

"While we are finalising these plans, we are making sure there are safe levels of staffing at all times. Clinic times are changing as a result of temporary staffing issues to allow services to continue where they are needed most, based on level of use, as well as available alternative care.

"Community contraceptive services, which are provided by GPs and pharmacies, are recognised as being critical to the health and wellbeing of our local population, and there is no plan for this service to change."