HEALTH problems suffered by prostitutes in Bournemouth will be examined in a report due to be released next week.

The Health Needs Assessment of Bournemouth’s Street Sex Workers will be unveiled at an official launch at St Clement’s Church in Boscombe on Monday February 11.

The report has been produced by Bournemouth LINks and the Bournemouth Alcohol and Drug Service User Forum (BADSUF).

Representatives from Dorset Police, the NHS, Bournemouth council, local community groups and councillors have been invited to examine the findings.

LINks, short for Local Involvement Network, is a network of local people who have joined forces to improve health and social care services.

BADSUF is an independent charitable organisation working with and for people engaged in treatment services and those who wish to access such services.

The study reveals that street sex workers often have little regard for their own health or safety.

Most have drug or alcohol addiction and many struggle to find a way out of prostitution.

There is also a lack of emergency accommodation for homeless street sex workers and more evening and weekend outreach work is needed.

“We hope this project kickstarts a determined effort by interested parties to offer the help, advice, support and guidance that is needed” said a spokesman for BADSUF.

And Chris Wakefield of Bournemouth LINks added: “It is absolutely essential that the health needs of Bournemouth’s street sex workers are given more consideration and that key stakeholders provide appropriate care.”