Treating Monkeypox is leading to STI outbreaks, say sexual health professionals – CPT PPP Coverage

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Sexual health providers fear they could be forced to stop seeing vulnerable and at risk patients in some areas unless they receive more government money to cover the cost of treating the Monkeypox outbreak.

In a letter to NHS England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Department of Health and Social Care, sexual health professionals say on average 25-30% of all services have been replaced by Monkeypox assistance since the first case was identified in May.

This includes a 90% reduction in access to screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the most affected areas, and half of providers needing to reduce services to people at risk of contracting HIV by 25%.

They say this drop in appointments for assessment and treatment has resulted in outbreaks of STIs in some places.

The letter signed by the British HIV Association, and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV says: “In some cases this displacement in financial terms means a potential loss of income to clinics of over £600,000 per quarter.

“This level of loss of income risks destabilising clinics, with loss of staff and, as some providers have warned us, the potential exit from the market of some providers.”

Sexual health professionals also say that vaccination funding of £15 per dose delivered has yet to reach any of the clinics, doesn’t meet the cost of providing the service and doesn’t cover providers for work displacement.

Read more:
Monkeypox: How do you catch it, what are the symptoms, and how easily does it spread?
Different strain detected in the UK after patient travelled to West Africa

In another letter to public health directors and commissioning officers at district councils, they pleaded for funding to not be withdrawn while they seek more money.

“After repeated advocacy with the government and with NHS England/Improvement, we are still at the stage of these national agencies repeatedly requesting evidence while this burden on services remains unfunded,” the letter reads.

“We continue to press them for Monkeypox funding and have repeatedly advised them that the exceptional nature of this epidemic, the transmission routes of Monkeypox and its impact should not be considered as routine sexual health expenditure.”

Responding to the letters, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency, local authorities and NHS England to manage pressures on sexual reproductive health services and ensure access to routine services is maintained.

“The Public Health Grant will increase in each of the next three years, bolstering sexual health services and enabling people to access treatments faster.”

Sky News analysis has found that spending on sexual health clinics has fallen in almost every local authority in England since the service was passed on to local governments’ responsibility in 2013, according to data from local authority revenue expenditure and financing.

There have been 3,654 confirmed or highly probable cases of Monkeypox since 6 May, and at its peak in mid-July there were around 60 cases per day. That number decreased throughout August and continues to fall.

More than 45,000 people have received a dose of the Monkeypox vaccine, including around 40,000 gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and who are at highest risk.

Those at most risk continue to be prioritised but some clinics will offer second doses to provide longer-term protection to high-risk groups two to three months after they receive the first dose, with the NHS inviting those eligible to come forward.