The sexual health strategy is a priority for us at the moment. We are carrying out work on a number of fronts to promote initiatives that will improve sexual health.

Scottish Executive spokesperson

The number of patients suffering from chlamydia rose from 1,637 in 1995/96 to 3,497 in 1999/2000 and diagnoses of gonorrhoea increased from 384 to 586 during the last year.

A spokesman said the executive had written to public health directors and specialist consultants to ask them what they think should be done to stop the spread of infections.

He added: "The sexual health strategy is a priority for us at the moment. We are carrying out work on a number of fronts to promote initiatives that will improve sexual health.

"We are currently considering how to deal with our strategy further in response to the changing picture regarding these infections."

He said one of the possibilities currently being discussed was a government-led initiative, which could include a major advertising promotion, to increase awareness and a better understanding of the infections.

The spokesman also said the executive would look at the amount of work being undertaken by consultants in genito-urinary medicine in Scotland.

There are 13 such consultants in Scotland and 231 in the rest of the UK.

"Part of our strategy will be to look at these specialist doctors and see what they are doing."