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One-Stop Shops - Evaluation Report

  • Last modified date:
    27 February 2008

In 2001, the Government published the National Sexual Health and HIV Strategy and one of the recommendations is the provision of more comprehensive and integrated sexual health services. – i.e integrating sexual health and reproductive health. One of the commitments in the strategy was to undertake an evaluation of different models of OSSs.  Following a procurement exercise in 2003, a research team from University College London and Bristol University was appointed to undertake a comprehensive three-year evaluation.

The evaluation identified three different models of OSS:

  • Model A: a dedicated young people’s integrated GUM and contraceptive service
  • Model B: a specialist mainstream service to meet the needs of all age groups
  • Model C: a primary care led service

The Report

The views expressed in the report are those of the evaluation team and not necessarily those of the Department of Health.  The report highlights that the three OSS models adopted very different approaches to how sexual health care is integrated on site. The complex evaluation design ensured that the team were able to examine the impact of these models from different perspectives, i.e. the user, the community, staff and other stakeholders, the service and cost. The final report is comprehensive and runs to around 250 pages.  Highlights include:

  • In the main, OSSs are acceptable to many users, provided they facilitate access for different populations (e.g. separate young people’s services and gender-specific clinics). Some individuals and target groups, such as gay men, maintain a strong preference for stand-alone specialist (i.e. designated young people’s, community contraceptive or GUM) services.
  • Staff working within sites providing sexual health services are very supportive of the concept of OSSs. However, having an integrated mindset was viewed as just as important, if not more important, than the establishment of OSSs. At present general practice is the major provider of sexual health care, but the range of provision is often limited and variable. The findings from the general practice OSS show that it is possible to provide a more comprehensive sexual health service in this setting.
  • Convenience was the most frequently cited reason for choice of service for sexual health-related needs.

The evaluation also includes an economic evaluation the aim of which was to compare the cost of providing sexual health services in an area where a OSS is located with the cost in an area without a OSS (the control areas).

Conclusion

This report provides valuable findings and information for PCT commissioners and service providers considering an integrated approach as well as those already providing integrated services.

A copy of the evaluation has been shared with the Sexual Health Independent Advisory Group to consider as part of the review of the sexual health strategy currently underway.

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