Councillors in Sandwich are getting behind the Phoenix Centre and its concerns over possible cuts to sexual health nurses.

The Mercury previously reported that changes were being made to the service, which is supplied by KCC outreach nurses and run by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.

A joint statement from KCC public health consultant Faiza Khan and Ruth Herron, assistant director for sexual health at the foundation trust, said a new model was under consultation.

“This may in some cases mean fewer nursing posts. However, people should be reassured that we will work hard to manage this transition effectively and ensure that anyone who depends on or requires sexual health services will continue to have access to them.”

Phil Scott, youth leader at the Phoenix Centre in Jubilee Road, said this was not good enough.

Councillors were aggrieved by the prospect.

Although this has not been confirmed, Mr Scott claimed up to 15 sexual health nurses would be axed under the new model.

He said this would be detrimental to teenagers and would result in an increase in sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies.

Mr Khan and Mrs Herron said the new model would provide advice and support for schools to promote better sexual health education.

There will also be an outreach partnership with sexual health charities Brook and Terrence Higgins Trust.