A ROW ERUPTED DURING A SALFORD COUNCIL MEETING OVER 'SOARING LEVELS' OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN BOLTON

A scathing attack has been launched by a Salford councillor against the neighbouring town of Bolton amid soaring levels of sexually transmitted diseases in the city.

Salford’s sexual health services are currently contracted to Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in a joint deal with Bolton council, an agreement which expires at the end of this year when they are taken over in a new deal with Manchester.

It comes as Salford has been revealed as having the third highest rate of gonorrhoea and the highest rate of syphilis in the north of England, the city’s health and care scrutiny panel has been told.

A report was delivered to the panel by director of health protection and commissioning Gillian McLauchlan.

Meanwhile, Salford and Manchester have ‘extremely high’ levels of HIV with five or more of every 1,000 people aged 15 to 59 years infected.

After hearing the report, panel member Coun John Warmisham launched into a withering assessment of the Bolton trust’s performance.

He said:

“The positive thing is that we are getting rid of Bolton Foundation Trust. They’ve failed us when I think of what’s happened.

“I welcome that we are moving to Manchester where there is an exemplary record of treating people from the LGBTQ, asylum seeker and refugee communities. Safe sex isn’t taught [in schools] any more and we’ve got massive work to do in Salford to make sure it happens.

“I don’t think this is the end. We are going to want updates on our new service provider. We do need a report once Manchester has taken over.”

His colleague Coun Jim King asked when it was discovered that Bolton wasn’t providing a good service and when was it flagged up.

“Was it money wasted and is there any way of recovering it?” he said. “We need to scrutinise it a bit better, to be honest.”

Ms McLauchlan responded by saying:

“Bolton’s population is probably more than the Salford population in terms of provision. We addressed performance with the trust. When Covid happened their service was moved to a virtual service.”

And her colleague, public health strategic manager Helen Dugdale, also said:

"A lot of the things that went on around this were no different than in other parts of Greater Manchester.

“They are struggling to recruit nurses across Greater Manchester, and there was the issue of Covid followed by monkeypox, which really impacted services.”

However, Coun Warmisham hit back:

“I disagree. We are paying for a service that’s not being delivered. Because of that we’ve seen a rise of STDs. Don’t make excuses for Bolton. 

“I’ve got real concerns that everything we touch with Bolton seems to fall to pieces. I don’t want officers coming in here making excuses for them. We can’t continue making excuses.

“That’s why I want reports coming back to make sure Manchester are delivering as well. I’m sorry it’s just not acceptable.”

Responding to the criticism, Tyrone Roberts, Chief Nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Our sexual health teams provide a quality service for thousands of people every year through our community clinics, delivering testing and treatment and educational tools to empower patients.

“Where feedback and evidence suggests otherwise we always find ways to improve our services so they are the best they can possibly be through rigorous performance management checks, monitoring, and training.

“Across England, there has been a steady increase in the number of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses. Anyone with symptoms of an STI, or who is concerned they may have one, should speak to their local sexual health clinic who are there to help.

“It’s also really important people get tested regularly and practice safe sex, such as wearing condoms, to help prevent the transmissions of STIs.”

Also after the meeting, Coun John Merry, Salford;s deputy lead for adult services, health and wellbeing, said:

“Given the high sexual health needs and feedback from residents, we have redesigned the Salford sexual health service. We completed a tender process for the new service and it has been awarded to Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT).

“The new service will commence in January 2024. We would like to thank Bolton Foundation Trust for their service to date and look forward to working closely with MFT (Manchester NHS Foundation Trust). We will be working with both our residents and partners across the city to improve outcomes for those residents that need these essential services.”