THE number of reported cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in East Lancashire has risen, new figures reveal.

In 2016/17, there were 2,273 reported STI diagnoses, compared to 2,169 in 2015/16.

Burnley had the highest number of reported STI diagnoses in East Lancashire with 1,439, followed by Hyndburn (871), Pendle (822), Rossendale (768) and Ribble Valley (507).

For Lancashire, chlamydia was the most common STI, with 4,382 diagnoses reported during the period, followed by warts (2,604), herpes (1,463), gonorrhoea (704) and syphilis (102).

Young people aged 20-24 were the most likely to have an STI in East Lancashire, with 1,473 reported diagnoses, although there were 25 in people aged over 65.

The statistics were released by Lancashire County Council following a freedom of information request by the Lancashire Telegraph.

East Lancashire’s patients’ champion Russ McLean said sexual health was being ‘put to the back seat’ in terms of funding.He said: “I don’t think the message has been promoted as much as it could be by all health providers.

“To me it seems like sexual health has been put very much to the back seat in terms of funding and priority.

“There are also examples of clinics closing and people having to travel further to get tested, something which they aren’t prepared to do.

“I would urge people who are sexually active, especially with different partners, to have regular check-ups.

“I also think that condoms should be free and readily available as they are very expensive for people in deprived areas such as East Lancashire.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for Lancashire County Council, who commissions the adult and young people’s sexual health services, said the rise was partly due to more people coming forward to get an STI test.

He said: “Reducing STIs is an important part of our plans to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

“While the figures for the East Lancashire boroughs do show in increase in the total number of STIs for all age groups combined, this is partly due to more people coming forward to get a test. This is good as the sooner people come forward and get a test, the sooner we can detect STIs and ensure people are treated to help prevent infections being spread.

“We work with the NHS, schools and other organisations to spread the safe sex message and encourage people to arrange a test if they think they’re at risk.

“If you’re worried you may have an STI, you should get in touch with our sexual health service to arrange a test. Our services are confidential and accessible with evening and daytime openings.”

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides sexual health services for under-25s, said there has been a drop in new STIs in people under 25 in the areas where they provide the service.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our Contraception and Sexual Health (CaSH) service provides an all age sexual health service in Blackburn with Darwen and also, since April 2016, an under 25s’ service in those parts of the county that are covered by Lancashire County Council, including East Lancashire.

While the figures show an overall increase in the number of cases of STIs in East Lancashire for all ages, there has been a drop in new STIs in people under 25 in the areas where we provide our under 25s’ service.

"These figures show that the campaigns and outreach work that we run throughout the year to promote positive sexual health messages in young people are having a positive impact.

"Our teams visit young people in schools, colleges and universities, use new channels of communication such as social media to reach out to them, and work closely with partner organisations that work with young people to distribute positive sexual health messages.”