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| Concerns at number of teen mums | Concerns at number of teen mums |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The children's commissioner has called for an urgent upgrade in the quality of sexual health services on offer to young people in Northern Ireland. | The children's commissioner has called for an urgent upgrade in the quality of sexual health services on offer to young people in Northern Ireland. |
| Patricia Lewsley said that while the number of under-17s having babies fell last year to 142 it was still too high. | |
| The commissioner said the increase in sexually-transmitted infections amongst teenagers also needed to be addressed. | The commissioner said the increase in sexually-transmitted infections amongst teenagers also needed to be addressed. |
| She added that sexual health clinics did not meet the needs of young people, expecially those in country areas. | She added that sexual health clinics did not meet the needs of young people, expecially those in country areas. |
| The commissioner said those living in Fermanagh, for instance, would have to travel more then 60 miles to their nearest clinic and that most clinics only open during school or college hours. | The commissioner said those living in Fermanagh, for instance, would have to travel more then 60 miles to their nearest clinic and that most clinics only open during school or college hours. |
| "Surveys have shown that as many a quarter of young people have had their first sexual experience before they are 16," she said. | "Surveys have shown that as many a quarter of young people have had their first sexual experience before they are 16," she said. |
| "There is no education or information for many of these young people in whatever arena they are in." | "There is no education or information for many of these young people in whatever arena they are in." |
| The Department of Health said it would publish a strategy on sexual health promotion shortly. | The Department of Health said it would publish a strategy on sexual health promotion shortly. |