Everyone has the right to enjoy healthy relationships, which will probably include sexual relationships for most adults and young people. With that right comes the responsibility to take care of our own health and wellbeing, and that of our partners. We all also have the responsibility to protect vulnerable people, including children, from inappropriate and damaging relationships and behaviour.

Partners should be able to talk to each other about their relationship and about sex, what they like and don’t like. And we all need to have the confidence to say ‘no’ when we don’t want something to happen in a relationship. We also need the facts about sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies so that we can take responsible and informed decisions to protect ourselves and our partners.

In Shetland we have similar sexual health issues to the rest of Scotland. It is true that the rate of pregnancy in teenage (aged 13-15) girls is very low in Shetland, but it is not just teenagers who have unplanned pregnancies. We have sexually transmitted infections in Shetland and, like the rest of Scotland, Chlamydia is the most common. We also see people with ‘blood borne viruses’ including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C which can be passed on through sexual contact.

Sexual health work in Shetland includes the Sexual health and Wellbeing Clinic and other clinical services; awareness raising and campaigns; improving access to information; Sex and Relationships Education in schools and other settings; and work with particularly vulnerable groups.

Useful websites

	Sexual Health Scotland 'Whether we're part of a couple, in a new relationship, have many partners or are happy and relaxed with no sex, everyone needs to take care of their sexual wellbeing.’ This website is aimed at over 16s.
	FPA Previously known as the Family Planning Association. ‘We provide straightforward information, advice and support to all people across the UK on all aspects of sexual health, sex and relationships’.
	HIV Scotland is a national voluntary agency that seeks to improve the health and well-being of people living with HIV and affected communities, and to prevent the spread of HIV infection.
	The HIV Wake Up website,produced by NHS Health Scotland in partnership with HIV Scotland, aims to provide information about the importance of HIV testing primarily to men who have sex with men. Tthe information is also relevant to anyone who has HIV, is at risk from HIV or would like to know more about HIV testing.
	The Terrence Higgins Trust was one of the first charities to be set up in response to the HIV epidemic and has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV, and improving the nation's sexual health, ever since.
	National Aids Trust is the UK's leading charity dedicated to transforming society's response to HIV. ‘We provide fresh thinking, expert advice and practical resources. We campaign for change’.
	Hepatitis C Scotland: A new campaign has been launched by the Scottish Government to raise awareness of Hepatitis C amongst the public in Scotland.
	The British Liver Trust is the national charity working to reduce the impact of liver disease, including hepatitis, in the UK through support , information and research.
	LGBT Youth is Scotland’s largest youth and community-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisation which works to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBT youth and LGBT communities in Scotland.
	The Equality Network works for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality and human rights in Scotland.
	Healthy Respect a network of organisations and services dedicated to young people living in Lothian. It works to support young people to enjoy healthy and respectful relationships. Produces information and resources for young people, parents and carers and professionals.
	Fight Cervical Cancer, the Healthier Scotland cervical cancer and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) immunisation website, contains everything you need to know about the HPV vaccine for girls which will help reduce their risk of cervical cancer.
	NHS Health Scotland, through the WiSH programme (Wellbeing in Sexual Health), works with local NHS Boards and their partners to implement the national sexual health strategy, Respect and Responsibility and the HIV Action Plan (2009-2014). WiSH supports professionals by producing resources to encourage better knowledge and understanding of sexual health issues.

Contacts:

	Dr Susan Laidlaw susan.laidlaw@nhs.net
	Sexual Health Strategy Group Chair

	Melanie Smith melanie.smith3@nhs.net
	Health Improvement Practitioner

	Or phone the Health Improvement Team
	on 01595 74 3084