Councillor says Croydon's sex strategy 'must help over-60s'

THE often voiced opinion among youngsters that old people do not have sex is a myth, according to a Croydon councillor.

But Councillor Maggie Mansell warned this week that the new age of sexually active 60-plus year olds brought with them a range of problems.

She told the Advertiser: "The over 60s are fitter and more active than previous generations.

"They started their sex lives after the pill and before Aids and did not get used to using condoms."

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Cllr Mansell claimed that with their children grown up and with an increase in divorces, older people were taking on more sexual partners.

She added this increased sexual activity had led to a nationally reported increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the over 60s.

Cllr Mansell said she would be approaching Croydon's public health department, with the idea of producing a 'Sex Over 60' leaflet which could be made available through GP surgeries and pharmacies outlining the possible dangers.

She said: "The over 60s do not need contraception but they do need modern advice."

And she is urging public health officials and the council to get behind a publicity drive, to make older people aware that more casual sex will lead to a rise in STDs.

Cllr Mansell's fears were raised at Monday's meeting of the council's cabinet which approved the launch of the borough's first sexual health strategy.

Its emphasis is on raising awareness of the dangers of STDs among young people.

Targeted actions will include expanding the provision of condoms through pharmacists for under 25s and other high-risk groups; delivering sexual health drop-in clinics at colleges; increasing the number of pharmacies providing sexual health services and expanding the number of centres providing chlamydia screening and free treatment.

The strategy also sets out to encourage people to have an HIV test to benefit from early treatment.

Councillor Margaret Mead, the council's cabinet member for adult services and health, stressed that while young people were the main targets in the strategy, its provisions would be available for people of all ages.

She said: "This strategy is about improving the health and wellbeing of communities and ensuring residents have the knowledge to make the right choices regarding their sexual health."

Kate Woollcombe, Croydon acting director of public health, said she was aware that nationally, STD figures among the over 60s were rising.

She said: "We don't have any evidence to suggest it is an issue in Croydon but I am happy to consider a local health promotion campaign if it is appropriate."