A new, innovative integrated sexual and reproductive health service is set to launch in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) on 1 April 2025. The new service, named Yuno, will offer free and confidential access to a wide range of services.
Building on the current provision in place and informed by extensive feedback from service users and professionals, the new service will launch a clinically supported easy-to-use website, which will act as a digital ‘front door’, providing convenient and confidential ways to get expert advice, contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment. Managed by a team of experienced sexual health clinicians and other healthcare professionals, the platform ensures you receive trusted, high-quality and timely care.
Alternative ways of accessing Yuno will be available. In-person clinical services will continue to be provided by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), who also provide the pregnancy advisory service across BNSSG.
By expanding digital support alongside in-person care, the new service aims to make it easier for people to access sexual and reproductive health services, helping improve health outcomes. The launch comes at a time when there has been a sharp increase in STI rates across England. Data released last year by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed STI diagnoses are continuing to rise, with cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis hitting record levels.
Yuno is funded by Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils. It is being provided by the NHS and a number of existing not-for-profit sexual health and wellbeing organisations working collaboratively.
Access to services through the Yuno website will be managed by digital sexual health experts SH:24. UHBW will work with North Bristol NHS Trust and Brook, a sexual health and wellbeing charity, who will provide specialist services for under-25s. Brook will also work with local charity Brigstowe to deliver a range of targeted, community-based interventions to support those who face greater health inequalities.
Sarah Weld, Director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Commissioning of specialist contraception and sexual health services is a core local authority Public Health responsibility.
“We are pleased to be working in collaboration with local partners to plan and deliver this important service for South Gloucestershire residents.
“Our new service is being launched at a time when diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections are increasing and there is a need for services which are accessible for all.
“Our new service means that whether residents choose to access advice, testing or treatment about sexual health or contraception, online or in-person, they can be assured of the same high-quality service from an expert team of dedicated clinicians.”
Dr Megan Crofts, Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine at UHBW, said: “As sexual health clinicians we are glad to be able to continue providing integrated sexual health care to the population of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Based on public feedback and public health trends, the new clinical service will have a particular focus on prevention, increasing access to long-acting contraception and PrEP medication to prevent HIV.”
How to access the service
From 1 April, the integrated sexual and reproductive health service can be accessed online at https://yunosexualhealth.co.uk. In the meantime, existing sexual health services remain available, see Unity website for details.
