teaser
Health chiefs in the UK’s Tyneside and Northumberland area have hailed the success of a series of pharmacy-led schemes which have reduced the number of teenage pregnancies in the regions.
As part of the initiative, pharmacists offer hormonal contraception to youngsters, who are also given more advice and support on sexual health.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics show conception rates among under-18s have fallen since 1998.
North Tyneside saw a 16.6% drop in the teenage conception rate from 1998 to 2006, while Northumberland’s rate dropped by 14.1% during the same period.
North Tyneside’s director of public health, Vivien Hollyoak, who spoke on behalf of North Tyneside and Newcastle Primary Care Trusts and Northumberland Care Trust, welcomed the results.
She said: “We are pleased with the continued reduction in teenage conception rates which is a result of the hard work by the primary care organisations working in partnership with the local authorities and stakeholders to bring down the teenage conception rates.”
Copyright © PA Business 2008
