Cork becomes first county to establish Sexual Health Network

Eight sexual health charities and organisations in Cork came together today to launch www.mysexualhealth.ie, the first portal fully dedicated to providing information and direction in matters of sexual health, healthy relationships and wellbeing in Cork city.

The participating organisations include the Sexual Health Centre, GUM / STI clinic, Youth Health Services, Gay Project, LINC, Sexual Violence Centre Cork, Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and Cork HIV Treatment Clinic.

The focus areas of the represented organisations include sexual health and wellbeing, STI testing, sexuality, HIV treatment and support, sexual violence and healthy relationships.

The portal aims to ensure that the people of Cork have easy and direct access to the sexual health services by providing an overview of the existing organisations, their focus and contact information.

“Sexual health is an integral part of everyone’s life,” said Dr Martin Davoren, Executive Director of the Sexual Health Centre who thanked the Healthy Ireland funding made available through the Local Community Development Committee and Cork City Council for supporting this project.

“It is fantastic to see the launch of this interagency resource for the people of Cork where individuals can access the information they need in a single website,” he added.

“This initiative will definitely create greater awareness and understanding of the full range of sexual health services and supports available to the people of Cork,” said Daniel Quealey, clinical nurse manager in genito-urinary medicine at the STI/GUM clinic at Cork’s South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital.

“Each organisation will bring their own unique level of expertise to the forum and we will all strive to create a reliable, evidence-based resource for those seeking information on any sexual health related concerns.” The launch of www.mysexualhealth.ie will take place today at City Hall.