Brook NI celebrates 25 years. Welcome to the twenty-third edition of DASH

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1 A S H DDialogue Brook NI celebrates 25 years Around Sexual Health ISSUE TWENTY-THREE NOVEMBER 2017 Welcome to the twenty-third edition of DASH This edition includes: Brook NI celebrates 25 years World Aids Day 2017 The 1967 Abortion Act: journeys travelled and the journeys that remain Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline contact details of family planning and genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics throughout Northern Ireland. In our Horizons feature, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, discusses the UK government s announcement that women from Northern Ireland can access abortion services in England free of charge. FPA is contracted by the Public Health Agency to write and produce DASH. Showcase your project, publicise an event or comment on this edition by contacting the editor, Ruairi Rowan, by telephone or ruairir@fpa.org.uk Politicians, education, health and social services professionals, and community workers, joined Brook NI in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings on Thursday 14 September to celebrate 25 years of providing wellbeing and sexual health support for young people. (continued overleaf) DASH Dialogue Around Sexual Health: Issue Twenty-three November 2017 Page 1

2 Brook NI celebrates 25 years (continued from page 1) Date for the diary Despite strong opposition from some religious groups and politicians, Brook NI opened its doors for the first time on 10 September On that day, one brave lone young woman walked through large crowds of noisy protestors, to exercise her right to access a service to which she was legally entitled. Since then there have been over 175,000 visits from young people exercising that right. Paula Bradley MLA, who sponsored the event said: Brook NI was the forerunner of young people s sexual health services and importantly produced a model of good practice for others to follow. Mary Crawford, Director of Brook NI, said: We have come a long way since We started by providing two clinical sessions per week, with the focus on contraception. Now we are a seven day a week service in Belfast and a two day a week service in Coleraine, providing STI services, psychosexual counselling as well as relationship and sexuality education for youth groups in the community. Brook NI was also the first service to open a sexual health clinic solely for boys and young men. In 1992, Northern Ireland was in the midst of The Troubles but the furore surrounding the then Eastern Health and Social Services Board s (EHSSB) decision to fund Brook pushed stories of the troubles off the front page of every newspaper and became the lead story throughout the media. Dr Gabriel Scally, who spoke at the event, was Director of Public Health at EHSSB at that time and recalls: The negative reaction to the proposal to establish Brook in Belfast was astonishing. So many myths were perpetuated about what Brook did. Over time all those myths have been well and truly debunked and it is now recognised that Brook NI provides a gold standard service for young people. I am so proud to be associated with Brook NI and wish it every success in the future. Dr Michael McBride (CMO) acknowledged the commitment of the Public Health Agency in funding Brook NI and acknowledged that the work of Brook NI has had an impact on the reduction of teenage pregnancies over the last 25 years. Brook NI also shared their new branding and name change which will be rolled out over the coming months. The organisation will become Common Youth, with the strapline you be you and we ll be here. n Workshop includes: facts about HIV/AIDS information on preventing HIV/AIDS young people s opinions on sexual health education young people designing their ideal sexual health education Q&A with politicians and decision makers. Dinner will be provided at the event. To book places please oconnorr@belfastcity.gov.uk Please let us know about any dietary requirements. n DASH Dialogue Around Sexual Health: Issue Twenty-three November 2017 Page 2

3 Why did you become involved in politics? I didn t plan to go into politics; I had a great career in business before I became an MP. But I got to the stage where I wanted to be more involved, and to make a positive difference to my community and my country. Most people who go into politics are driven by their own personal experiences. I went to my local comprehensive school in Rotherham in the 1980s and I was the first person in my family to go to university. I have always been conscious of taking steps that people like me weren t able to take in the past. Today, my overriding goal in politics is building a Britain where there is social mobility and equality of opportunity; a levelled up Britain where everyone can achieve their potential. That s why I am so glad to be Minister for Women and Equalities. This role means I can address issues such as gender inequality, and work towards a future in which all people, regardless of gender, race, sexuality or beliefs, are able to prosper. Recently you announced that women from Northern Ireland would no longer be charged for abortion services in England. How did this change occur? Women from Northern Ireland have been travelling to England for abortions for many years. This is perfectly legal, but it was made more difficult for them because they had to overcome the stigma associated with abortion in Northern Ireland, find the money to pay for the service and to travel to England, and make the arrangements themselves. So, I was The Minister for Women and Equalities Rt Hon Justine Greening MP discusses the UK government s announcement that women from Northern Ireland can access abortion services in England free of charge pleased to be in a position to put the necessary measures in place to simplify the process and make the experience a bit easier for them. I hope that the changes we have put in place will make a real difference. What support will women from Northern Ireland be eligible for? Women who choose to travel to England to have an abortion will be eligible for a consultation with an abortion provider in England; the abortion procedure (if they decide to go ahead with it); HIV or sexually transmitted infection testing as appropriate; and an offer of contraception from the abortion provider. All of this will be provided free of charge, funded by my department. The Scottish and Welsh governments are also working up similar plans. When will the policy be implemented and how can women access services and support? Women from Northern Ireland have not been charged for abortions since the end of June, when I first announced that we would pay for this service. We will soon be introducing a central booking service so that women will have a single free of charge telephone number to call to get advice and to make an appointment. The central booking service will also arrange and pay for travel for women meeting certain financial hardship criteria. The service will be in place by the end of the year, but in the meantime organisations such as FPA will be able to provide advice to women on how to access services. As Minister for Women and Equalities what other policies will you be focusing on in the next year? My role as Minister for Women and Equalities is to champion equality. I work with people inside and outside government to help make Britain a place where everyone can succeed without facing discrimination. We have made significant progress on gender and LGBT equality and I am committed to building on this in the coming Parliament. This includes ensuring large companies are reporting and taking action on their gender pay gaps, getting more women into senior positions in our biggest companies and reviewing the Gender Recognition Act. If you re pregnant and not sure what you want to do FPA offers a non-directive pregnancy choices counselling service which provides information and support on all options. FPA also offers post-abortion counselling. To make an appointment call n DASH Dialogue Around Sexual Health: Issue Twenty-three November 2017 Page 3

4 The 1967 Abortion Act: journeys travelled and the journeys that remain Resources and help 24 HOUR Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline FREEPHONE Open to all women and men affected by domestic & sexual violence text support to This year marks the 50th anniversary since the introduction of the 1967 Abortion Act. This landmark piece of legislation granted women across Great Britain access to legal, safe and state-funded abortion care, but the Act was never extended to Northern Ireland. As a consequence, for the past 50 years women have made the journey across the water to access these services. To mark the anniversary FPA hosted a panel discussion, The Abortion Act 1967: Journeys Travelled and the Journeys that Remain, as part of Féile an Phobail. Stella Creasy MP, whose proposed amendment to the Queen s speech resulted in a change to UK government policy on funding abortion services for women travelling from Northern Ireland to England, spoke as part of the panel and criticised Northern Ireland s Department of Health for not updating abortion guidance to health professionals. Also speaking at the event, FPA s Senior Advocacy Officer, Ruairi Rowan, said: The UK government s decision to no longer charge women from Northern Ireland to access abortion services in England is the most tangible change that has taken place here since the introduction of the Abortion Act. It s a small step that will make a significant difference to women in Northern Ireland. But it s not a solution. Abortion law in Northern Ireland is over 150 years old and it is failing women. It s time for change. It s time for politicians to trust women to make decisions regarding their own reproductive health, and bring abortion legislation into the 21st century. For more information on the UK government announcement that women from Northern Ireland can access abortion services in England free of charge, please see Justine Greening s interview in the Horizons section. n The 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline is open to anyone affected by domestic violence and/ or sexual violence, regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, age or ethnicity. If you are experiencing domestic violence, help is at hand. No one deserves to be abused. You are not to blame for the violence or abuse and you do not have to put up with it. If you have been subjected to sexual violence either within or not within a relationship the helpline can provide an immediate listening ear and signpost to services if required. If you are being abused physically, sexually, financially or emotionally, you have choices. Support is available in many forms. You can contact the helpline for initial support and to consider the options which are available to you. Remember, you don t have to be hit to be hurt and you don t have to leave to get help. Call Visit womensaidni.org/get-help/domesticsexual-violence-helpline n Free contraception and STI leaflets Funded by the Public Health Agency, these can be delivered directly to contraception and sexual health services, GUM clinics and general practices. To order, register your details at and we will open an online account for you. For further information contact FPA on n DASH Dialogue Around Sexual Health: Issue Twenty-three November 2017 Page 4

5 Clinic locations Contraceptive and sexual health clinics (CASH). For further information contact FPA Belfast Central Area Brook Clinic 2nd Floor, Cathedral House Belfast, BT1 2DX Under 19 years Mon Tue Wed 14:30 17:00 Thu 17:30 20:00 Fri 14:00 16:30 Sat 13:30 16:00 Girls clinic Sat 16:00 17:30 Boys clinic 13:00 17:30 Under 24 years STI clinic Sun 13:30 15:00 EC only Ground Floor, 16 College St Belfast, BT1 6BT Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 10:00 12:30 East Belfast Dundonald Health Centre 16 Church Road, Dundonald Belfast, BT16 2LN Thu 09:00 11:30 Holywood Arches Health Centre Westminster Avenue North Belfast, BT4 1QQ Mon Tue 13:45 16:00 Tue 17:00 19:00 Fri 09:00 11:30 South Belfast Bradbury Centre 1 17 Lower Lisburn Road Belfast, BT9 7AA Mon Tue Wed Thu 09:00 11:30 Tue Wed 17:00 19:00 The Knockbreda Centre 110 Saintfield Road Belfast, BT8 6GR Wed 09:00 11:30, 13:45 16:00 & 16:45 18:45 North Belfast Carlisle Health & Wellbeing Centre 40 Antrim Road Belfast, BT15 2AX Mon 13:45 16:00 Thu 13:45 16:00 West Belfast Beech Hall Wellbeing & Treatment Centre 21 Andersonstown Road Belfast, BT11 9AF Mon Tue Wed Fri 09:00 11:30 Wed 13:45 16:00 & 17:00 19:00 Thu 13:45 16:00 South Eastern Area Ballynahinch Community Services Main Street Ballynahinch, BT24 8AR Mon 17:30 19:30 Bangor Hospital Castle Street Bangor, BT20 4TA Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 09:00 11:30 Mon Tue 17:00 19:00 Lisburn Health Centre Linenhall Street Lisburn, BT28 1LU Mon Thu 09:00 11:30 Mon 17:00 19:00 Newtownards Hospital Minor Injuries Unit Church Street Newtownards, BT23 4AS Tue 09:00 11:30 Stewartstown Road Health Centre 212 Stewartstown Road Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0FB Tue 09:00 11:30 New Down Hospital Downpatrick, BT30 6RA Tue 10:00 12:30 Thu 14:00 16:00 Southern Area Banbridge Health & Care Centre 10 Old Hospital Road Banbridge, BT32 3GN Mon 14:00 16:00 Dungannon Health Clinic 38 Thomas Street Dungannon, BT71 4AU Wed 17:30 19:30 Thu 09:30 11:30 John Mitchell Place Newry, Co Down, BT34 2BU Mon Tue 09:30 11:30 Tue 13:00 15:00 Portadown Health Centre Tavanagh Avenue Portadown, BT62 3BU Tue 17:30 19:30 Wed 09:15 11:30 & 13:00 14:30 DASH Dialogue Around Sexual Health: Issue Twenty-three November 2017 Page 5

6 Clinic locations continued Western Area Central Bookings for Western Area Mon Fri 09:00 17:00 Brae Clinic Spencer Road Derry/Londonderry BT47 6AA Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 09:30 12:00 Mon 14:00 16:30 (YP drop-in) Tue Wed 14:00 16:00 Fri 14:00 16:30 (YP drop-in) [IUD, IUS & Diaphragm fitted] Limavady Health Centre Scroggy Road Limavady, BT49 0NA Wed 14:00 15:30 & 15:30 16:30 (YP drop in) Omagh Health Centre Mountjoy Road Omagh, BT79 7BA Mon 09:30 12:00 Thu 09:30 12:00 & 14:00 16:00 Mon 14:30 16:30 (Teen Scene) South West Regional College Wed 12:30 15:30 (Term time) [Under 25s] No Coils Strabane Health Centre 1a Main Street Strabane, BT82 8AR Thu 14:00 15:30 & 15:30 16:30 (YP drop-in) IUD & IUS fitted Women s Health South West Acute Hospital 124 Irvinestown Road Enniskillen, BT74 6DN Tue 09:30 11:30 Tue 13:30 15:30 (alternate weeks) Wed 09:30 11:30 (alternate weeks) Northern Area Central Bookings for Northern Area Mon Fri 09:00 13:00 Antrim Health Centre 32 Station Road Antrim, BT41 4AB Tue 09:00 11:00 Coil Available & 19:00 21:00 No Coils Braid Valley Hospital Cushendall Road Ballymena, BT43 6HL Mon 11:15 13:15 Coil Available Tue 10:00 12:00 Coil Available Tue 14:00 16:00 Coils Only Brook Clinic 20b Abbey Street Coleraine, BT52 1DU Mon 14:30 17:00 Thu 14:30 17:00 [Under 19s] Carrickfergus Community Health Clinic Taylors Avenue Carrickfergus, BT38 8AZ Tue 14:00 16:00 (Coil Available) Mid Ulster Hospital Magherafelt Cookstown, BT80 8BJ Tue 14:00 16:00 Coil Available & 17:00 19:00 No Coils Thu 09:00 11:00 Coil Available & 13:00 15:00 (Coil Clinic) Coleraine Community Clinic 7a Castlerock Road Coleraine, BT51 3HP Mon 19:00 21:00 Wed 09:30 12:30 Coil Available & 14:00 16:00 Coil Available Thu 18:30 20:30 CASH 21b Newell Road Ballymoney, BT53 6HB Tue 14:00 16:00 Nurse Only No Coils Moyle Hospital Outpatients Old Glenarm Road Larne, BT40 1RP Tue 09:30 11:30 Coil Clinic Thu 13:30 15:30 No Coils Glengormley Community Health Clinic 40 Carnmoney Road Glengormley, BT36 6HP Thu 09:30 11:30 Coil Available & 19:00 20:30 No Coils Fri 09:30 11:30 Whiteabbey Health Centre Doagh Road Whiteabbey, BT37 9RH Mon 13:30 15:30, Coil Available 18:30 20:00 FPA printed in The Family Planning Association is a registered charity, number , and a limited liability company registered in England, number DASH Dialogue Around Sexual Health: Issue Twenty-three November 2017 Page 6