CREWE MP Edward Timpson officially opened the new, state-of-the-art Eagle Bridge Centre for Sexual Health.

Mr Timpson unveiled the purpose-built facility in Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre at an event featuring staff, GPs, stakeholders and business owners who are helping to promote sexual health awareness, on Friday, July 15.

The centre was created as part of a £11.3 million, five-year contract awarded to East Cheshire NHS Trust by Cheshire East Council last year to provide sexual health services across the local authority area.

Being based on Dunwoody Way in central Crewe, the centre offers a more accessible location for residents and features longer opening hours and an emergency advice line for access on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Mr Timpson, who is Minister for Children and Families, said: "Whilst teenage pregnancies are at a record low, and the treatment available for STDs has improved markedly, there is still much more that needs to be done to promote sexual health and help prevent it deteriorating in the first place—particularly amongst the high risk groups.

"The consequences of poor sexual health can be devastating. That's why having this new, state-of-the-art, pioneering sexual health clinic in the heart of our community at Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre is so important."

John Wilbraham, East Cheshire NHS Trust chief executive, said: “We are delighted to open the new centre and hope it helps increase accessibility for people using sexual health and contraception services in and around Crewe.

“The trust now provides sexual health services across a wide geographical footprint, stretching from Ellesmere Port in the north through to the Staffordshire border in the south, so clients using this centre will benefit from shared experience and expertise from many different sites.”

Cllr Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The council welcomes the opening of the new integrated sexual health service at Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre.

"The services provided at the centre will play an important role in improving sexual health outcomes for residents, including reducing unwanted pregnancies and controlling the spread of sexually-transmitted infections.

"We particularly welcome the improved accessibility of the new service.”