The wellbeing of sexual health should be on top of the list of priorities and to that end, the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom is extending intensive support to people in the North East, reports the Evening Chronicle.

The focus is on sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, the evening daily notes, adding that the apex healthcare body through its local clinics is offering emergency contraceptive services, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, among others.

Barrier methods of contraception such as condoms will be provided free of cost under the C Card scheme, informs the Evening Chronicle. It further adds that Plan B birth control pills, also known as progestogen-only pills, will be on offer at various NHS-affiliated pharmacies, along with pregnancy test kits.

The Evening Chronicle learns that people can access emergency birth control pills from clinics in North Tyneside (One to One Centre, Brenkley Ave), Newcastle (New Croft Centre, Market Street East), and Northumberland (Carlton Street Clinic, Carlton Street). This form of contraception will also be available with general physicians in the said places.

Teenagers – the group most vulnerable to contract a sexually transmitted infection in the festive season – can take screening and receive treatment for free with 100% confidentiality, informs the evening newspaper.

An official from the NHS North of Tyne tells the Evening Chronicle that while the main medical facilities will keep their shutters down during Christmas and the New Year, the aforementioned clinics will remain open throughout the party season to help people obtain emergency contraceptive pills with ease.