GONORRHOEA cases in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole reached a record high last year, new figures show. 

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV said the "worrying trajectory" of rising diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections is a sign of unmet needs for those who require sexual health care. 

Figures from the UK Health Security Agency show there were 565 gonorrhoea diagnoses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in 2023. 

It was up from 492 the year before and the highest since local records began in 2012. 

Meanwhile, there were 48 syphilis diagnoses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in 2023 – up from 38 the year before. 

Professor Matt Phillips, president of BASHH, said: "We find ourselves at a critical point for securing the viability of sexual health services.” 

There were 2,825 STI diagnoses last year in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – down from 2,968 the year before. 

Of the diagnoses last year, 1,478 were chlamydia. 

Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "The best way to reduce your risk of an infection is to use a condom consistently and correctly with new or casual partners." 

He added: "The NHS provides free, confidential STI testing to detect any potential infections and prevent you passing them on to others."