by Jenni Horn

The only sexual health and family planning clinic in Chatham, where teenage pregnancy rates are the highest in the South East, will shut next week.

Youngsters living in the town will have to travel further afield in they want advice or free contraception without visiting their family GP – or visit a high street pharmacy.

Elm House clinic will close on Wednesday because the building in New Road is considered 'not fit for purpose’ and services will be spread across other sites around the Towns.

The only walk-in clinic available in Chatham will be at Boots in the Pentagon Shopping Centre.

The last contraceptive and sexual health drop-in sessions at Elm House were held on Wednesday. Clinics will now be provided from health centres in Strood, Twydall, Rochester, Parkwood, Gillingham and Lordswood.

The views of staff were highlighted by an Ofsted report published last week.

The report said: “The closure of the sexual health clinic because the building is not fit for purpose is understood by community health staff, but they express concern as none of the four Healthy Living Centres are in Chatham which is an identified 'hotspot’ for teenage conceptions and Medway continues to have the highest rates in the South East.”

Juliet Hillier, from Brook, which provides sexual health advice, said young people-friendly services are vital.

She said: “Young people prefer services that are specifically for them, and are open at times which suit them. There is evidence that young people can be put off accessing services at which they might bump into a relative or adult friend of the family.”

Health bosses have insisted there will not be any reduction in the times or days of clinics, or fewer staff delivering them.

Katie Morgan, contraceptive and sexual health manager at Kent Community Health NHS Trust, said: “The changes mean there will be more clinics available across Medway. We are going to be delivering clinics in Rochester Healthy Living Centre, which is one mile away from Elm House.”