CUTS TO Isle of Wight sexual health services are the worst in the country, according to data released by the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

It reveals the budget for Island services, including testing for sexually transmitted diseases and providing contraception, has been slashed by almost half - 47.9 per cent - since 2015.

Isle of Wight Councillor for East Cowes and former outreach sexual health worker, Karl Love, said: "How can the Isle of Wight receive the largest cuts anywhere in England to its sexual health services when it is also the most socially isolated locality in England? Cuts to this award-winning service threaten the safety of our Island population, particularly younger people.

"Yet it is this council's public health budget that has been cut to save money, while hiding behind veiled language and talk of 'new ways of working,' which is code for cuts to public services."

Nick Belfitt, Isle of Wight Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson, said: "The BMJ figures are shocking and show the dangerous situation the Island is in as more services are cut.

"Our healthcare services are on the brink of collapse and the government continues to squeeze them for every penny. The cuts on the Island in sexual health are by far the worst in the whole country and once again our Island, which has been characterised as an area of deprivation, continues to be hurt the most."

Responding to the data, cabinet member for public health Cllr Clare Mosdell said: "The council is committed to ensuring the delivery of high quality, robust and caring sexual health services. It is important to state that there is no plan to send services to the mainland, other than those already being provided."

She said services would be provided at 'various and more convenient times and places' across the Island, rather than the hospital.

But Cllr Love said: "A centralised service with experienced staff is essential. Reducing the service and splitting up its operations will cause inconstancies in service delivery and cost more."