MORE and more people across Dorset are being diagnosed with a sexual disease, new figures show.

Figures from Public Health England show that the number of people suffering from gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis, the most dangerous type of sexually transmitted infection, has increased.

In five years, incidences of syphilis, which, if left untreated, can cause blindness, harm babies in the womb, and even kill, have risen by 33 per cent across the county with 2.1 in 100,000 people suffering from the disease, up from 1.4 in 2012.

Incidents of gonorrhoea - often viewed as the second most serious sexual disease - have rocketed too with increasing by 13 per cent from 10.8 per 100,000 in 2012 to 12.5 per 100,000 last year.

Finally, the rate of people suffering from AIDS/HIV increased by 27 per cent from 0.61 to 0.84 per 1,000 of the population.

At the same time, regional figures further reveal that children as young as 13 have been accessing Specialist Health Services in the south-west, which includes Dorset.

Figures show that 68 boys aged 13-14 accessed specialist sexual health services from 2016-2017, with more than 6,000 men aged 15-19 asking for help.

Meanwhile, only 600 girls aged 13-14 accessed the south west’s specialist sexual health services in 2017, and more than 21,000 women aged 15-19.

Dr Michael Brady, medical director for the Terrence Higgins Trust, a sexual health charity, said: “Today’s figures show unacceptably high rates of STIs. We’re facing huge challenges, such as the continued rise of syphilis and ongoing concerns around drug-resistant gonorrhoea, and we urgently need to address the nation’s poor sexual health and rates of STIs in those most at risk.

“In this climate of cuts to local authorities’ public health budgets, this is particularly concerning.

“Now is not the time to be scaling back sexual health services. Cuts to chlamydia testing, for example, are having a visible impact, with today’s figures showing that there has been a 9 per cent decrease in the number of chlamydia tests taken.

“It is also now essential that Public Health England, the Department of Health and local authorities ensure improved access to effective STI and HIV testing, treatment and prevention services. Otherwise, we cannot expect to address the ongoing sexual health crisis.”

Dr Olwen Williams, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, added: “Dramatic increases in syphilis and gonorrhoea are a huge concern and must provide a wake-up call to the government about the importance of ensuring that high-quality, easily-accessible sexual health services are available for all those who need them.”

Public Health England say that young people aged 16-24 are most at risk of STIs along with men who have sex with other men.

The figures come after Dorset HealthCare (DHC) announced a shake-up in sexual health clinics across Dorset which would see two clinics in Dorchester.

The trust said that the changes “meet demand”, provide “faster and more effective” support and “reduce unnecessary appointments”.

Sarah Brace, Dorset HealthCare’s sexual health service manager, said: “We want to create an integrated service across Dorset where patients have access to high quality care from the right professional, in the right place and at the right time.”

“While some people might have to travel further to reach our two hub clinics, we will have a broader range of appointment times and expertise to meet people’s needs.”