Disappointment as teen pregnancies increase

TEENAGE pregnancies are still on the rise in Torbay, health bosses have warned.

Torbay Care Trust says it is bracing itself for another set of 'poor results' when the figures for 2008 are released.

Torbay currently has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the South West and one of the highest in the country.

But despite efforts to tackle the problem through education, the trust admits the figures will get worse before they get better.

Debbie Stark, acting director of public health, said: "We are looking at another increase for 2008.

"It is very disappointing the rates are still going up.

"It will take time for some of our actions to start showing a benefit because we have to start with the younger children."

The Government is keen to cut the numbers of teenage pregnancies because the UK has the highest rates in western Europe.

There is a national target to halve the number by 2010. It currently stands at 40.4 per thousand females aged 15 to 17.

The last set of official figures showed there were 122 conceptions in Torbay in 2006 — a rate of 51.1.

A report to the care trust stated: "Torbay is required to reduce the overall rate of teenage conceptions to 22.1 per 1,000 in 2010.

"Unfortunately, Torbay has seen a noticeable increase in the rate, rather than a decrease, with the latest figures for 2007 showing the highest levels locally since the 1998 baseline."

The care trust confirmed the council has employed a new personal health and social education worker to get across the message of safe sex. She will start work in September.

South Devon College also recently received regional funding for an improved teenage advisory service.

Board members agreed the figures were disappointing and said more education work needed to be done.

Cllr Cindy Stocks said: "It is not just talking about sex. It is about raising the aspiration levels of young people so they know about education and job opportunities."