Purchasing services to promote the sexual health of young people - contraceptive care for teenagers: A review of the published literature to inform a Regional Health Gain Investment Programme

Sexually active teenagers need a choice of accessible and acceptableservices to provide contraceptive care and advice. This paperpresents examples of good practice in providing care for youngpeople in community settings in the UK but the same models ofcare could be adopted by other European countries. The publishedliterature suggests that informal and drop-in services are needed,with the guarantee of confidentiality to the young person. Afull range of contraceptive care and sexual health promotionshould be available and staff should have expertise in dealingwith young people. All local agencies should work together toincrease knowledge and uptake of such services. Purchasers andproviders of health care should agree a model of care whichis related to local health needs.