A GLASGOW councillor is calling for an investigation following the closure of three sexual health clinics in the most deprived areas of Glasgow she said was a loss of a ‘basic human right.’

Councillor Aileen McKenzie has expressed her “deepest concerns” after it was confirmed the Sandyford Clinics in Pollok, Drumchapel and Castlemilk closed their doors as a result of staff shortages. Services in Springburn have also been forced to restrict their opening hours.

Ms McKenzie has written to the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS, and Jeanne Freeman MSP the Minister for Health in Scotland to ask what is being done to “address this urgent situation”.

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The councillor who is still waiting for a reply, said: “There is a strong correlation between deprivation and teenage pregnancy. A report from Audit Scotland highlights that people living in the most deprived areas are more likely to need these services as they cannot afford to travel.

“There are still clinics in Parkhead and at Charing Cross but they cannot be easily accessed by patients south of the city.”

Health Protection Scotland recently revealed there had been an increase in sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in Scotland between 2017 and 2018.

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The sexual health clinic concerning Castlemilk, which said to have the highest uptake across the city and offered a dedicated walk-in service for teenagers, has been shut for more than three months.

Ms McKenzie said: “We know that the number of STI cases are on the rise in Glasgow and that is why I am concerned.

“There needs to be an investigation into why we don’t have enough staff and determine how these services can be funded to allow them to remain open.

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“This is simply not acceptable. Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care is a basic human right.”