Large rise in sexually transmitted infection testing and contraception treatment in Peterborough

Peterborough City Council is having to fork out an extra £194,000 a year after a "rapid increase" in demand for the Peterborough integrated sexual health and contraception service (iCASH) in Priestgate.

The service is commissioned by the council from a local NHS trust to provide testing and treatment for STIs and contraceptions, including implants and IUDs (intrauterine devices).

The council revealed the extra increase in its first set of 2019/20 budget proposals. The budget is being set in three parts with the remaining proposals to be revealed in November and February 2019.

The council budget document states: "There has been a rapid increase in demand for the service since the contract was agreed in 2014, and the number of appointments in 2017/18 was 28 per cent above the activity agreed in the original contract.

"This has required additional subsidy above the contract value from both the service provider and the city council. The existing demand pressures now need to be built into financial forecasts, as the service is due to be recommissioned during 2018/19."