Summary

The Teenage Health Clinic in the Restalrig Health Centre is a drop-in clinic for young people. A range of medical services are available at the clinic including:

• Sexual health information and advice
• Pregnancy testing
• Chlamydia testing
• Contraceptives and free condoms through the c:card scheme (external link)

Young people are invited to attend the Teenage Health Clinic on their 13th birthday. Dr Riches or a practice nurse can then screen them for at risk behaviours.

Background

In 2001, Restalrig Health Centre in Edinburgh decided to make young people's health one of its top priorities. Dr Helen Riches has since established a successful drop-in clinic for young people. She has also begun outreach work in partnership with Leith Academy – her local high school.

Why set up the service?

The service was set up in response to the Restalrig Health Centre’s decision to make young people’s health one of its top priorities.

Dr Riches felt that a service designed specifically for youth would be invaluable – particularly for young people from the most deprived parts of the school catchment area.

Who is involved in the service?

As part of this work with young people, Dr Riches established contact with Leith Academy and began delivering Relationship and Sexual Health Education sessions at the school.

In 2005, Dr Riches received funding from the City of Edinburgh Council to formalise her work with Leith Academy. She now visits one morning a week for appointments with young people. While the service is generic, she can offer Chlamydia testing on-site as well as sexual health advice.

Designing the service

Dr Riches stresses that the Centre’s emphasis is on taking a holistic approach where parents are informed about what is being offered.

She says: "We look at the teenager as a whole really, because it's important not just to offer a sexual health clinic. We felt that if it was very much holistic – not just talking about sexual health; but diet, exercise and smoking cessation – that there would be fewer stigmas. We often find that young people will come here instead of GUM [Genito-Urinary Medicine drop-in clinics].”

Dr Riches also focuses on young people from the most deprived parts of the school catchment area. These young people are invited to be seen on a one-to-one basis and screened for 'at risk' behaviour.

She says: "I bring the young people out of class and speak to them. I cover all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. I try to gear the consultation to the needs of the young people. Sometimes the emphasis may be on weight or exercise."

Outcomes and future developments

Dr Riches says that an early measure of success is that pupils have begun to approach her for advice: "The main marker is that a lot of the young people are coming and searching me out, and I find that is quite positive."

An evaluation will be completed shortly, which will consider whether the model works, and whether it is an appropriate service for a GP to deliver.

Contact details

For further information:

• Email Dr Helen Riches