A free sexual health service run at the Cripps Health Centre is to be axed at the end of March due to funding cuts.
The service, which offers students diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, sexual health counselling, and free condoms, is the only service at the health centre to be affected by Nottingham City Council’s funding cuts.
A spokesperson at the University of Nottingham said: “The University is deeply disappointed by the proposal from the City Council to withdraw funding from this high quality provision at the University of Nottingham Health Service which provides a valuable and cost-effective service to hundreds of people every year. Along with others, we will be making representations to the Council not to end support for the service.”
“The University is deeply disappointed by the proposal from the City Council to withdraw funding from this high quality provision […]”
Councillor Nick McDonald, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health at Nottingham City Council, said: “While we appreciate the value that discretionary services such as Cripps add to patient choice and access, during times of severe cuts to our operating budgets we cannot continue to provide those which are additional and complementary to core provision.”
”This is a service that they shouldn’t be cutting. Having this free service on campus is ideal and a necessity.”
Impact asked students what they thought about the decision:
“It’s limiting the capacity to help students, especially because this kind of service is important for University students. It is a type of service that we need access to,” said Frenie Hilado, a second year International Media and Communication student.
Poppy Howe, a second-year Aerospace Engineering student, said: “This is a service that they shouldn’t be cutting. Having this free service on campus is ideal and a necessity.”
Immy Samuel, a second-year Human Genetics student, told Impact: “Free service is one of the few that should never, even remotely, be considered to be taken off, despite the fact that there aren’t enough funds.”
Sarah Lindgärde and Goda Naujokaityte
Featured image courtesy of ‘Matt Buck’ via Flickr. License here.
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