'Vital' youth sexual health clinic to stay open

A drop-in sexual health service for young people in East Sussex that was due to close in March has been saved.

The Circle Room in Lewes is a free and confidential sexual health clinic offering advice, contraception, pregnancy testing and testing for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, for under-25s.

East Sussex County Council had proposed closing the clinic to save £45,000, citing alternative services elsewhere, but a consultation saw opposition from young people who called for it to remain open.

A new contract will start from March 2026, offering additional health services.

Foundry Healthcare Lewes, which hosts the clinic, said it helped more than 50 young people every month.

Of the 120 young people who responded to the consultation, 85% were current or previous users of the service.

In their responses, they described the service as "vital" as it was well-known and well-respected as a supportive, confidential and safe environment with a range or specialist services in one place.

The clinic saw 255 people aged under 16 over the past year who were restricted from accessing alternative services online.

An equality impact assessment found the closure would be likely to negatively impact young people living in areas of high deprivation with an increased risk of unintended pregnancies among young women due to unmet contraceptive needs.

Councillors said data from Public Health England showed that every £1 spent preventing unintended pregnancies created a saving of £9 on health services.

The council has also chosen to continue to fund the clinic and add in other services for under-25s, including support to stop smoking, to maintain health weights and encourage physical activity.

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