ICB Chair takes whistle-stop tour to see outreach work
Dr Kathy McLean, chair of the ICB, was treated to a whistle-stop bus tour of the outreach work done by Derbyshire’s sexual health team within underserved communities.
Derbyshire Community Health Services’ Sexual Health Promotion team took her on their sexual health outreach van which visits specific locations each week to carry out screening checks and prevention advice including the Bosnia Herzegovina Centre, St Peter’s square and Milestone House in Derby.
They stopped off at the Bosnia Herzegovina Community Centre, where Dr McLean met with staff and witnessed first-hand the team’s commitment to delivering support in welcoming, community-based settings.
Dr McLean and the staff at the Bosnia Herzegovina Centre
Over the past year, the teams various outreach programmes such as market stalls, relationships and sex education workshops, and rapid HIV testing have engaged more than 24,000 people across Derby and Derbyshire. Feedback shows that 95% of participants feel more confident accessing sexual health services after engaging with the outreach team.
Dr McLean also heard from the DCHS team about how the service is tailored to meet the needs of underserved communities by delivering accessible, community-based support and education.
Speaking after the visit, Dr McLean said: “I was absolutely delighted to visit the Sexual Health Promotion team and see their work first-hand. This service provides an essential role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing, particularly by reaching those who may not otherwise access care. Visiting the Bosnia Herzegovina Community Centre and meeting the team there gave me a deeper understanding of how embedded and trusted this service is within the community.”
She continued: “I was in awe of how passionate the team were about their work. By meeting people where they are, they’re helping to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and ensure that sexual health support is accessible to everyone. This kind of innovation and partnership is exactly what we need to tackle health inequalities across Derbyshire.”
Kelly-Anne Wood, Integrated Sexual Health Service Health Improvement Manager, said: “We were delighted to welcome Dr McLean and showcase the work we’re doing to make sexual health services more accessible. Our outreach approach is about meeting people where they are, and it’s encouraging to have that recognised and supported by the ICB.”
The outreach service is part of the Integrated Sexual Health Services for Derbyshire and Derby City and works closely with healthcare professionals and community partners to ensure that sexual health support is inclusive, approachable, and effective.