Bracknell Forest Council has rebuffed claims that the sexual health services in the borough are inaccessible for all residents.

This comes following reports that some men and women have suffered due to inability to gain an appointment within the Garden Clinic at Skimped Health Centre in the town centre.

Data which has been procured by Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust for April to June 2023 shows that 98 per cent of service users calling the service for an appointment during reception’s opening times are triaged within 30 minutes, with 97 per cent of service users seen within two days.

Despite this information, residents who are only given two days of availability to access their services through the week say that they find this 'ridiculous'.

This includes Monday from 11am to 6pm and Thursday from 10:30am to 5:30pm.

Problem’s with gaining access to home testing kit’s which are funded by every borough are considered ‘impossible to access’ due to the limited availability.

When the News contacted Bracknell Forest Council, The Director of Public Health for Berkshire East, Tessa Lindfield said that members of the public can access sexual health services outside the area they live.

These may be closer to social appointments or place of work, and centres with more varied opening hours.

This however does not take into consideration the inability to travel to other centres which may be miles away from their home.

Tessa added: “We want to make sure that our residents understand that help is available if they need it, and no one should delay seeking care.  If they reach out to our services, they can expect a timely response. 

"We remain committed to improving sexual and reproductive health and continue to work with our service providers to shape the services around the needs of our population.

“Improving the equity of access to sexual health services, including in person appointments, is something we will be addressing as part of our sexual health service commissioning, which we shall soon be undertaking.

"Improving digital access to sexual and reproductive health services is a priority locally and we have been working with experts in good digital design to understand how we can do this well.

“It is important so that people access both the testing they may require alongside good quality triage and advice.  But, if someone is experiencing symptoms they should not wait for a test, but should get to a clinic as soon as possible, to receive the treatment that is required.”