Sexual health - the last forty years

1974 – 1983


In the Mid-Seventies, for the first time, contraception became free to all and the Government began to encourage local health authorities to fund sexual health services for young people. The DHSS clarified that doctors could provide contraception to under 16s without parental consent and a year later the teenage pregnancy rate had started to fall.


1974 

  • Brook Centre opened in Liverpool
  • Contraception made free to all under NHS Reorganisation Act
  • DHSS issued guidance for doctors clarifying the legality of giving contraception to under 16s without parental consent

1975 

  • Teenage pregnancy rates began to fall but lack of NHS funding limited long-term growth of sexual health services

1978 

  • Brook received its first Government grant to expand its youth advisory centres
  • Brook Education and Publications Unit set up