RESIDENTS in Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich are being reminded about the importance of keeping a clean bill of sexual health amid ‘Sexual Health Week.’

Launched by The Family Planning Association (FPA), the dedicated week, which started on Monday and runs throughout the week, looks to raise awareness of all things related to sexual health and this year it is focusing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

East Cheshire NHS Trust, covering Middlewich and also operating clinics in Winsford and Northwich is using the week to remind people of the importance of safe sex to prevent sexually-transmitted infections in the first place.

Dr John Hunter, East Cheshire NHS Trust’s medical director, said: “Sexual Health Week is a good way of reminding people of the need to practice safe sex and use condoms.

“Perhaps because of advances in the treatment and management of HIV and AIDs in recent years the message around safe sex doesn’t always seem to carry the same sense of urgency as it once did.

“However HIV and AIDS, along with many other sexually-transmitted infections, still pose a very serious threat to your health and can have a huge impact on your life, so it really is best to simply practice safe sex in the first place by using a condom.”

A full list of clinics in Cheshire can be found at gosexualhealth.co.uk.