A WORRYING rise in the number of patients suffering from sexually transmitted infections is partly down to a growing nightclub culture in the town.

Fiona Johnstone (seen left) Director for public health for St Helens Primary Care Trust says there has been an increase in infections like syphilis and chlamydia that gives "concern but not alarm".

Ms Johnstone said: "Some of the emphasis on not catching sexually transmitted infections has been reduced and placed on avoiding pregnancy. There needs to be a balance".

Influenced by alcohol

She added: "The behaviour is influenced by alcohol and the increasing nightclub culture. I don't want to sound like a killjoy, I want people to enjoy themselves safely."

Numbers infected with syphilis and chlamydia have risen sharply across the North West in the last few years and health chiefs say St Helens has also seen an increase.

Nationally, in the last six years, recorded syphilis cases have surged by 500 per cent, while gonorrhoea infections have doubled.

Levels of infections like syphilis have risen more significantly than HIV in St Helens. Despite a report being issued two months ago that the number of HIV cases on Merseyside has doubled, Mrs Johnstone insists the levels of HIV in St Helens are not as great as in a cities like Liverpool or Manchester.

Staff shortage

"Figures on Merseyside for example suggest something like 20 cases for every 100,000. In St Helens it is one of the lowest in our area - the prevalence is about 13 cases for every 100,000."

It emerged recently a clinic that treats people with sexually transmitted infections and diseases at St Helens Hospital would not be booking appointments for new patients until September. St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals Trust has blamed a staff shortage.