Health: GPs to gain sexual health quality mark

The standards are being introduced as part of Nottingham's teenage pregnancy and sexual health strategies. GP surgeries achieve the standard after doctors recieve training.

The training, which is also open to youth centres, is delivered by specialist health promotion teams. It focuses on issues affecting young people's decisions to access sexual health services. The standards cover confidentiality, ease of access and approachable, friendly staff.

Irene Kakoullis, Nottingham City Council's teenage pregnancy strategy manager, said: "We feel this is important in Nottingham because we have a high teenage conception rate and young people who fear accessing services because they have fears over confidentiality, especially at GP services."

GPs who complete the training get a toolkit with information, posters and the govern- ment's You're Welcome quality criteria, which gives examples of best practice in health services targeting young people.