Staff at the Park Centre for Sexual Health in Weymouth are celebrating, having had their service accredited as being ‘Young People Friendly’. The Young People Friendly initiative was developed nationally to kite mark health services that could demonstrate their excellence in delivering services to young people, through meeting ‘You’re Welcome’ quality standards.  

NHS Dorset who administers the scheme locally, has now accredited both genitourinary (GUM) and contraceptive health services across Dorset.

Chris Ricketts, Public Health Team Leader at NHS Dorset said “I am delighted to confirm that the GUM service in Dorset has been successful in achieving the You’re Welcome quality standards and that the service is now accredited as being Young People Friendly.  This national  quality standard requires a high level of commitment from staff to deliver services that are relevant and sensitive to the needs of young people.  It is clear that we have excellent sexual health services locally, and young people should feel confident that they can access these services easily and without embarrassment.  Staff are very approachable, whilst maintaining the highest level of professional competence”.   

As part of the detailed audit process, the GUM service was visited by Young Inspectors who provided really useful feedback on the day-to-day running of the service.  The Young Inspectors concluded “The service offered to young people is very good.  You are treated with respect and not rushed when you have an appointment.  Everything is explained in a way that young people can understand and staff members give you the chance to ask questions.  The medical team are really friendly and skilled at putting the service user at ease”.   

Dr Cecilia Priestley, who leads the Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust service said, “We’re really pleased to receive the Young People Friendly accreditation.  All of the team are committed to providing the best possible patient experience, and it is great to have our work recognised, especially by young people themselves.  However we are not complacent, and we will continue to use patients’ feedback to improve our service, and audit our progress in meeting the needs of our younger patients”.

To access sexual health services in Dorset, phone 0300 303 1948 or for more information on GUM visit www.dchft.nhs.uk/patients/wards-depts/gum/gum.html