Karen Howell, chief executive of Wirral Community Heath Foundation Trust, writes for the Globe...

PROVIDING health care in the community is so much more than running clinics in health centres.

As an NHS trust, we have a responsibility to make sure you have as much access to excellent health care as possible, access that's convenient for you and fits in with daily lives.

Our new Sexual Health Wirral service aims to do just that and from this Saturday April 1, adults and young people can access new and improved services that offer greater flexibility and access making it as easy as possible to get the information, support and treatment they need to look after their sexual health.

The service will include a range of new features including an updated, interactive and mobile website where people can get advice, book appointments, check symptoms and order free self-testing kits – all from their mobile phone, tablet or PC.

There's now a new Freephone helpline open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, to book an appointment or be signposted to services.

Telephone consultations with one of our clinical team are also available on a call-back basis between 8am and 7pm, Monday to Friday, and possi- bly avoiding a visit to clinic.

We're working closely with local pharmacies to provide services closer to home making it easier for people to get what they need, for example, emergency contraception and self-testing kits.

And if you're aged 19 years or under, young people's clinics are available with Brook Wirral.

You can of course always book an appointment at one of our five clinics across Wirral - St Catherine's Health Centre, Victoria Central Health Cen- tre, Eastham Clinic and Arrowe Park Hospital.

Since 2014, Sexual Health Wirral has enjoyed a successful partnership between Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral University Teaching Hospital and Brook Young People.

We're delighted to be working with an additional partner, Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust who bring consultant-led expertise.

This partnership will deliver a dynamic, innovative flexible service that enables greater self-care whilst increasing access choices, supported by a single, specialist IT system.

A new clinic timetable is available from Saturday April 1.

Anyone wishing to attend a Sexual Health Wirral clinic should visit sexualhealthwirral.nhs.uk

To book an appointment or call Freephone 0300 123 5474.