Keith Henshall, senior public health manager at Kirklees NHS, told CYP Now the youth workers were being recruited to meet the 17 per cent screening target as they were well placed to convey messages about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Henshall said as many young people's venues as possible, including some schools, will be used for screening because of the reluctance many young people feel about going to see GPs.
However, Doug Nicholls, national secretary for the Community and Youth Workers' Union, said the use of youth workers was inappropriate. "Youth centres are educational establishments, not medical centres. Where does this end? If they are seen as a soft option for medical testing we will lose the purpose of youth centres."
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