Durham & Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT)

What does the Durham & Chester-le-Street PCT do?
How does the Durham & Chester-le-Street PCT use ICT?
What difference has ICT made?
What was learnt?
How to find out more

What does the Durham & Chester-le-Street PCT do? 

Durham & Chester-le-Street PCT is primarily responsible for improving and maintaining the health of its local population. One of its aims is to meet the government's targets to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies, as Britain has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Europe.

The idea for the GIRLS sexual health textback service came from the increasing number of texts being received asking for advice on staff members mobile phones.  It was time consuming to try to respond to these by text, as staff texting ability was no match for young peoples! Other concerns were monitoring the number of texts received and the information provided. It therefore seemed logical to develop this text service especially since texting is the communication method of choice for many young people and it is a confidential and anonymous service for young women.

How does the Durham & Chester-le-Street PCT use ICT? 

Young girls text to (space) girls (space) plus their message and send it to 60003. They get an automated response thanking them for their message and letting them know a worker will get in touch shortly. An email link is received to their message and after entering a login and password a response can be provided via the PC that is then sent back by text.

The service is provided by a business communication company called Siteon who are dedicated to offering the latest methods of communication and come recommended through word of mouth.

Each key word (e.g. GIRLS, LADS or DYGMG) can be directed to a specific email address so different workers can respond to different requests for help (e.g. boys and young men's worker answers LADS questions).

What difference has ICT made? 

In the 15 months that the service has been running there have been over 150 requests for information or advice to the GIRLS service. It allows young people to access local information about services, where they can go for advice and support and also provides information about many issues that young people would be too embarrassed to talk about face to face, such as pregnancy concerns. The fact that it is anonymous and confidential can break down barriers to accessing information.

What was learnt? 

An initial problem with the service was with understanding the abbreviated text language used by many young people, and learning to respond in the same style. It was necessary to consult young people to help with translations.

So far the project has been successful and we are looking into further ways to develop the service, such as how young people with no credit can text for free. Also, the smoking cessation team at the PCT are looking into developing a service. The fact that anyone can set up an advice line at no extra charge as long as it starts TP…means it’s an extremely cost effective service to engage with young people.

How to find out more 

Contact name: Susan Thompson (Sexual Health Outreach Worker)

Durham & Chester-le-Street PCT
John Snow House
Durham University Science Park
Durham
DH1 3YG

Web: www.health-promotion.cdd.nhs.uk
Email:  susan.thompson@durhamclspct.nhs.uk

View the Knowledgebase article on reaching out through mobile.