Sexual Health Services Underfunded and Overlooked, MPs Warn

England’s sexual and reproductive health services have been left undervalued, underfunded, and fragmented after more than a decade without a national plan. That is the stark message from the Health and Social Care Committee, which has written to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with urgent recommendations for reform.

The Committee’s letter follows a deep-dive evidence session with experts in policy and frontline service delivery, who described fragmented services, scarce resources, and widespread misinformation.

Committee Chair Layla Moran MP said:

“Despite having a dedicated and passionate workforce, we heard that sexual health services can feel like an overlooked and undervalued part of the health service for those on the front line.”

“And the fact that no policy review has been carried out for over a decade is an inexcusable oversight. This Government must now take a panoramic view of the confusing landscape of sexual health and reproductive services.”

In this blog, Dr Richard Dune explores what this call for reform reveals about the state of sexual and reproductive health in England, and why strategic leadership, sustainable funding, and integrated governance are now essential to rebuilding trust and access.

A decade without direction

The Committee’s central recommendation is clear: DHSC must develop a new, overarching national strategy for sexual and reproductive health, supported by sustainable, long-term funding.

A strategy of this kind has not been published since 2013, leaving providers and patients to navigate a patchwork of responsibilities divided between the NHS, local authorities, and third-sector partners. The result, experts told MPs, is a confusing system that delays care and increases inequality.

The proposed framework would bring together HIV, women’s health, and LGBT+ health services under a single, coherent vision, ensuring clearer accountability, consistent standards, and more equitable access nationwide.

Integrating care across the system

The Committee’s letter sets out a vision for integrated, prevention-focused care that places sexual health at the heart of mainstream health services.

Among its practical recommendations:

• Screening opportunities in A&E waiting rooms for infections such as HIV and syphilis

• Routine sexual health checks during GP registration or school nurse appointments to normalise testing and reach underserved populations

• Digital coordination of postal and click-and-collect testing kits through a single national platform, following the successful Wales model.

Experts told MPs that these changes could reduce stigma, improve access, and cut duplication between local services currently offering similar online systems in isolation.

Workforce pressures and training shortages

The inquiry also uncovered an emerging workforce crisis in sexual and reproductive health.

The Committee heard that 1,400 applicants competed for just 14 training posts this year, highlighting an urgent need to expand training capacity under the NHS 10-Year Workforce Plan.

Specialist training currently takes six years post-foundation, and competition is intense. Witnesses also warned that one-third of the sexual health workforce is expected to retire by 2028, threatening service continuity and patient safety.

The Committee has urged DHSC to fund additional training posts immediately and to recognise sexual and reproductive health as a core national workforce priority.

Tackling stigma through education

Beyond structural reform, the Committee emphasised the importance of tackling stigma and misinformation. Many people, particularly young people, LGBTQ+ communities, and marginalised groups, still avoid sexual health services due to fear, shame, or mistrust.

To change this, MPs recommend that DHSC develop a national public information and social media campaign, co-designed with community organisations that work with these groups.

This should ensure that messaging is inclusive, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive, helping to build trust and increase awareness of available services.

Better data, better decisions

The Committee’s letter also highlights serious weaknesses in data collection, particularly in emerging areas such as chemsex-related harm and links between sexual health, mental health, and substance misuse.

To inform effective policy and funding, MPs call for coordinated data gathering and analysis across all relevant services, backed by clear national leadership and accountability.

Without accurate national data, the Committee warns, policymakers cannot assess trends, allocate resources efficiently, or design services that meet the needs of diverse populations.

A system in need of reform

Taken together, the Committee’s findings point to a system that has been left to drift, sustained by the dedication of its workforce rather than by strategic leadership or adequate investment.

The call for a new national strategy marks more than an administrative fix; it represents a cultural and structural shift toward integration, prevention, and long-term sustainability.

Layla Moran MP concluded:

“This Government must come up with a comprehensive strategy to take the anxiety out of accessing care and make sure services are patient-centred and sustainably resourced.”

Implications for the wider health and social care sector

The challenges outlined in the Committee’s report echo broader issues across regulated health and social care, workforce strain, policy fragmentation, and uneven access to essential services.

For providers, the message is clear:

• Integration and collaboration are vital for effective service delivery

• Workforce development and succession planning must be prioritised

• Public education and communication are key to reducing stigma

• Reliable data must underpin every funding and governance decision.

By learning from the failings identified in sexual health policy, other sectors can strengthen governance and promote proactive, joined-up models of care.

In summary

After more than a decade without a national strategy, England’s sexual and reproductive health services face critical challenges in funding, workforce, and access.

The Committee’s letter sets out a blueprint for rebuilding the system, one that combines leadership, integration, education, and accountability.

Whether these recommendations translate into lasting reform will depend on how quickly DHSC responds, and whether future planning places prevention, inclusion, and workforce sustainability at its core.

About The Mandatory Training Group

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Reference

Health and Social Care Committee (2025). Sexual health services undervalued and under-resourced after a decade of being overlooked.