Cheshire West and Chester Sexual Health
Since 2019, HCRG Care Group has delivered sexual health services across Cheshire West and Chester, serving a population of 357,000. Rated Good overall and Outstanding for Responsiveness by the CQC, the service prioritises prevention through targeted outreach and visible high street clinics with integrated digital services through SH:24. By training GPs, pharmacies and VCSE partners and tailoring care to local needs, we are reducing health inequalities and helping people take more control of their health.
Cheshire West and Chester Sexual Health
Since 2019, HCRG Care Group has delivered sexual health services across Cheshire West and Chester, serving a population of 357,000.
Visit Service WebsiteServices include:
- System leadership of sexual health services
- High street sexual health clinics
- Management of GP and pharmacy provision
- In-clinic and digital STI and HIV testing and treatment
- PrEP HIV Prevention
- Family Planning
- Contraception and LARC provision
- Digital sexual health advice
- Dedicated outreach nursing teams
- Training programmes for partners
This service is led by
Robert Flack
Director of Growth and Partnerships
Having undertaken leadership roles in the commercial, not for profit, social enterprise and NHS sectors, Robert now works to continuously improve our teams, relationships and services at HCRG Care Group.
CQC Performance
Our clinics sit on high streets rather than hospital sites
This deliberate choice helps to normalise sexual health, reduce stigma, and make services visible and accessible. We keep the service open to anyone who walks in, whether they need STI screening, treatment or contraception – which is particularly important for people who find it difficult to navigate GP or hospital systems.
Digital access is changing the way sexual healthcare happens
Through our partnership with SH:24, we offer online STI testing, contraception, clinic timetables, appointment booking, symptom-checkers and ChatHealth support. Uptake here has exceeded expectations, with many residents shifting from phoning the centre to using digital self-service.
This is all being strengthened with a new digital identity for Cheshire West and Chester and an integrated website that dovetails more perfectly with our single point of access, clinical and outreach teams.
Quality has also been a priority from the beginning
Backed up by commitments drawn up in HCRG’s Quality Promise, our audits and peer reviews have driven measurable improvements in quality, as highlighted by the CQC.
The latest CQC inspection in February 2022 rated the service ‘Good’ overall and awarded ‘Outstanding’ for Responsiveness. The inspectors praised the team for planning and delivering care in ways that met local needs, working in partnership across the system, and consistently demonstrating improvement.
We’re building on this continuous improvement
We’ve appointed two new important roles. Our Strategic Lead is working alongside local primary and secondary system partners to transform the service further, while our Practice Educator is supporting upskilling through training local GPs, pharmacies, school nurses, health visitors and VCFSE colleagues.
Looking ahead
We’ll be continuing to scan for new opportunities to use digital, outreach and system leadership to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes. And by investing in prevention and working with partners, we’ll be helping Cheshire deliver on its Borough Plan 2024–28: Play your part towards a Stronger Future.
Visit Service WebsiteWhat’s happening at a glance
Rated Outstanding for Responsiveness by the CQC (2021).
New, modern high street clinics are reducing stigma and improving visibility.
Digital front door with SH:24 offering testing, contraception, booking and self-triage.
Strategic Lead driving system transformation.
Practice Educator building GP, pharmacy and community workforce capacity.
Outreach and prevention focused on early intervention and reducing risk.
Annual internal service reviews driving continuous improvement.
Future integrated website and digital identity launching 2025/26.
Our partners for this service
