The number of new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Portsmouth has fallen by around 18% from 2023 to 2024, according to new figures.

The figures, published by the UK Health Security Agency, show there were 1,471 new diagnoses in 2024, down from 1,797 in 2023.

Portsmouth has seen its lowest on record rates of STIs (not including chlamydia in under 25s), which are now below the national average.

Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care at Portsmouth City Council, said: This encouraging drop in STI rates reflects the strength of our sexual health support in Portsmouth, which includes free, convenient and confidential testing and easy access to contraception.

Many people do not show symptoms of STIs which means people often pass them on without realising it. The use of condoms to reduce the risk of transmission is therefore recommended, as well as regular testing, particularly when changing sexual partners.

The latest figures do show that chlamydia rates are on the rise in Portsmouth. There is also a high proportion of HIV late diagnosis; 56.5% of HIV diagnoses were made at a late stage of infection from 2021-2023 in Portsmouth, compared to an England average of 43.5%. Late diagnosis means the virus has had more time to weaken the immune system.

Work continues to help residents enjoy safer, worry-free sex. Recent improvements to the local sexual health and HIV service, provided by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (HIOWH), have included having sexual health professionals on the phone lines as the first point of contact. This has meant people can often get specialist advice there and then, avoiding a face-to-face appointment. More work is underway to make the service even more accessible, including improvements to call waiting times and looking at how demand from other pathways is managed.

Clare Scholfield, Clinical Director of Sexual Health and HIV Services at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: Our goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where people can access testing, advice and make informed choices about contraception, without fear of judgment or stigma. Whether residents choose to access services online or in person, they can expect the same high-quality care from our dedicated clinicians.

Residents of Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can order free and confidential STI and HIV testing kits by post, as well as free condoms, from the service. Visit www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk or call 0300 300 2016. Where required, in-person appointments can be booked for the sexual health and HIV clinic at St Mary’s Health Campus.

Free HIV and syphilis test kits are also available to order online from freetesting.hiv