Opposition councillor describes council move to pull funding “a public health disaster waiting to happen”, reports James Cracknell

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to save the borough’s only dedicated sexual health clinic.

It comes just one week after the news was revealed that Enfield Council was pulling funding for The Town Clinic in Enfield Town, which is run by a service called Enfield Clinics Health Organisation (Echo).

The Dispatch understands that the council had been locked in talks with North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, which holds the contract to run the service, over the civic centre’s aim to cut spending on sexual health by around £500,000.

However, North Mid was apparently unable to find the efficiencies required by the council, which decided instead to terminate the deal from February 2025. It’s not clear how the remaining sexual health budget for the borough will be spent once Echo is shut down, however.

Last week a senior nurse from the clinic told the Dispatch how she feared unwanted pregnancies and sexual transmitted infection (STI) rates would soar across Enfield without the clinic, with the nearest comparable service being several miles away in Archway.

Although free emergency contraception can currently be obtained through local pharmacies by those aged under 25 or on benefits, while online testing services are also available, The Town Clinic offers expert in-person advice and care from a discreet building away from the main high street in Enfield Town. Specialist HIV treatment is provided by the Alexander Pringle Centre, based at North Mid, and will continue there.

Figures obtained this week by Ruby Sampson, a Conservative councillor, suggest The Town Clinic is conducting between 7,000 and 8,000 consultations with STI testing per year. She also found that an average of 21 domestic violence or sexual assault cases were being uncovered at the clinic annually, and that it was was holding an average of 215 consultations each year where HIV preventative treatment was started or continued.

Earlier in November, both Labour and Tory councillors unanimously agreed to support World Aids Day and the objectives of the national HIV Action Plan, which are to “ensure effective co-ordination of prevention, treatment, and care”, “reduce levels of undiagnosed HIV and transmission in the UK” and “effectively monitor HIV resources”.

World Aids Day is this Sunday, 1^st December.

Cllr Sampson said: “ Enfield Council’s decision to decommission the only sexual health clinic in the borough is a public health disaster waiting to happen.

“This is a disgraceful move which will have serious ramifications for every section of society. At the November full council meeting the Labour group unanimously backed Chris Joannides’ motion on World Aids Day. The leader of the council committed to fulfilling the HIV Action Plan.

“But by simultaneously closing Enfield’s only sexual health clinic the council will fail to fulfil the HIV Action Plan. If the council proceeds with this deeply hypocritical and unethical decision, they will prove to residents they only care about soundbites which sound good instead of the health needs of residents.

“They talk the talk, but they cannot walk the walk.”

The Dispatch this week approached North Mid for its position on the withdrawal of council funding for Echo. A spokesperson said: “North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust has been notified of the intention to cease the contract to deliver sexual health services on behalf of Enfield Council from February 2025.

“We are committed to delivering a full service until the suggested termination date in mid-February and we will work collaboratively with Enfield Council and any new provider identified to ensure, as far as possible, continuity of service for our patients and due care for our staff. We remain open to further discussions.

“At this stage we have no further details and queries should be directed to Enfield Council.”

The council has declined to comment further on its decision, which it said last week was about “providing value for money” and that it had “engaged in extensive negotiations on our current service offer”. Council leader Ergin Erbil added that they would “continue to fulfil our statutory duty by providing open access to clinics nationwide”.

Sign the petition to save Echo and The Town Clinic:
Visit change.org/p/stop-the-closure-of-the-enfield-sexual-health-contraceptive-service

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