“The Clinic” DVD which helps promote two sexual health centres in Ballymena and Newtownabbey will be premiered and released on February 13 at NRC’s Farm Lodge campus. It is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The DVD is being launched as part of Sexual Health Awareness Week.
NRC Director Trevor Neilands says the video performs a vital service in an age where sexual health information is still regarded as an educational outpost. “The clinic is a widely used service and in the last year alone more than 700 appointments were completed,” says Mr Neilands.
“I am very proud of the NRC students whose DVD works very effectively to promote sexual health and the services provided by the clinic.”
The two sexual health centres provide information on a confidential basis. This includes advice for young people thinking about having sex for the first time, contraception issues, sexually transmitted diseases. It also offers check ups and health screenings.
The clinics are not exclusively reserved for NRC students and are open to all students and staff.
Dr Bernadette Cullen, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “The PHA supports the two sexual health clinics in the Ballymena and Newtownabbey campuses of NRC. This DVD will promote the important role they play in reminding of the dangers of HIV and STIs, and the importance of safer sex practices. “We know people may be infected with HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) without having any symptoms, the PHA is asking everyone who is sexually active to protect their sexual health and that of their partner by being safe and getting tested if they have put themselves at risk. We hope that more students will be encouraged to use ‘The Clinic’ as a result of this DVD.”
Michelle McGrath, Lead Nurse Family Planning with the Northern Trust said: "We were delighted to work alongside the students to raise awareness of the Sexual and reproductive health clinics and the services they provide. By encouraging students to attend the clinic we can contribute towards a reduction in STI's, unplanned pregnancies and foster a responsible attitude to sexual health"
The first sexual health clinic opened in Ballymena’s NRC Trostan Avenue campus three years ago. NRC says it has made a valuable contribution to prevention of disease and unwanted pregnancies as well as helping people maintain a clean bill of health.
