The Alcohol and Sexual Health Working Party is speaking out against the way the NHS is dealing with sexually transmitted infections and young people - they suggest that the NHS is missing an opportunity to tackle the problem of STIs considering the existence of statistics highlighting strong links connecting the abuse of alcohol and sexually transmitted infections in those aged between 15 and 24 years.

Almost half of all sexually transmitted infections are diagnosed among young people in this age bracket and according to a 2009 British probability survey, those who consume a lot of alcohol are more inclined to have unprotected sexual activity and with many partners compared with those who drink moderately.

The Alcohol and Sexual Health Working Party’s reports suggest that over 1.5 million 15 to 24 year olds attend sexual health clinics annually and among this number, a shocking 1 in 5 young people consume what is considered to be a dangerous amount of alcohol.

The working party thus ask that all clinicians dealing with young people be trained to ask about the individual’s drinking behaviour and also that during any visit to the doctor, questions regarding diet, drinking and smoking are asked alongside questions regarding the patient’s initial complaint. A report commissioned by the Health Secretary will be published this month and will set guidelines for future consultations..