Brook and Bayer collaborate in novel joint working project

Published: 26 October 2017

Global pharmaceutical enterprise Bayer has formed a strategic partnership with young people’s sexual health and wellbeing charity Brook, to transform sexual health services across the UK. 

Brook, which has been providing young people with sexual health and wellbeing support for more than 50 years, currently provides 16 sexual health services in local communities working in partnership with the NHS. In 2016 the charity supported more than 235,000 young people from 73% of local authorities in England.

Brook Chief Executive Helen Marshall said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bayer to improve our dedicated services for young people, with a particular focus on contraceptive services. This invaluable support comes at a pivotal time as sexual health services prepare for a £30 million reduction in public health funding in 2017/18”. 

The partnership will have a particular focus on long acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, some of which are over 99% effective. One method of LARC, the IUD, is also the most effective form of emergency contraception.

Commenting on the potential advantages and impact of working in collaboration with Brook as a partner, Amanda Cunnington, Head of Patient Access, Bayer UK, says:

“Charities face many challenges yet Brook maintains a ceaseless drive for improved quality and delivery with young people at the heart of it all. At Bayer, we clearly see the value of working jointly with partners such as Brook who are central to delivering NHS services in this area. Joining forces to combine expertise, skills and resources means we can create real benefits for the patients and the system that working alone may not be achievable.”

Lesley Wylde, National Healthcare Partnership Manager for Women’s Health, Bayer, said:

“As one of the leaders in women’s health we are committed to improving patient care. The partnership will enable Brook to provide additional training to its clinical staff as well as re-equipping and refurbishing its services to ensure they are welcoming and cutting-edge.”

Bayer is committed to long term joint working to improve patient outcomes and has already committed over £1.7million in 2017, evolving existing, award-winning ideas in new areas across the UK, now recognised as best practice, as well as inspiring innovation with new ventures.

For more information please email press@brook.org.uk or Hayley Knight, Bayer Communications: Hayley.Knight@bayer.com / Lesley Wylde: Lesley.Wylde@bayer.com

Supplementary information

The aim of the Brook-Bayer partnership is to ensure that all young people have access to the full range of contraceptive choices through Brook’s existing and new services. Brook identified gaps in the range of contraceptive offerings that they are able to make available to patients and in the training of their healthcare professionals. They would like to ensure that going forwards they are able to provide a full range of contraceptive methods to ensure that patients receive information and access on the full choice. 

The joint working project will develop: 

• An IUC fitting service available for patients in each of the existing Brook services and any new services 
• Patient pathways and signposting to ensure access to fitting services for all long acting reversible (LARC) methods (including intrauterine methods) when chosen or required
• A welcoming environment where young people can make an informed choice after positive counselling and receiving information on a full range of contraceptive methods 
• A range of face-to-face and on line training to equip HCPs to provide LARCs as a contraceptive offering
• Training for Brook’s education staff to educate young people about LARCs as a contraceptive offering

About Brook

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching more than 235,000 young people nationwide every year.

• Read Brook’s new Strategic Plan 2017-2020.
• Read Brook’s 2016/17 Success Report

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015.

For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
 

For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
 
Read our Strategic Plan 2017-2020 and learn more about the difference we make in our latest Success Report.