Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to extend the city’s sexual and reproductive health service, Axess, for a further three years.
The decision means the service, delivered by Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT), will continue until October 2029. Cabinet also backed plans to introduce new prevention measures to help reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prevent HIV and expand tuberculosis (TB) testing across the city, supporting Liverpool’s commitment as a Fast-Track City+ to end new HIV transmissions, tackle stigma and improve access to prevention, testing and treatment.
The decision follows a detailed review which found Axess is delivering excellent results for Liverpool residents and offering good value for money.
Since launching in 2021, Axess has become one of the highest-performing sexual health services in the country. Liverpool now has the highest STI testing rate in the Northwest and among England’s core cities, with residents able to access support through clinics, walk-in appointments and online testing.
The review found that:
- Chlamydia diagnosis rates are above national targets (2,719 per 100,000 compared to a target of 2,400).
- Late HIV diagnoses have fallen significantly over the past three years, from 57.1 per cent to 36.1 per cent.
- Access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is at its highest level since 2018.
- Everyone with an urgent sexual health need is seen or assessed within 48 hours.
- More than 90 per cent of STI test results are returned within eight days.
- More than 12,000 outreach contacts have been made with people most at risk of poor sexual health.
- Thousands of condoms have been distributed to young people and other at-risk groups across the city.
Axess and Liverpool City Council’s partnership was recognised with an award for transformation and positive outcomes in 2022, while elements of the service have been showcased at national and international conferences in 2025 and 2026.
Cabinet also approved a contract variation to allow Axess to introduce new services, including injectable HIV prevention treatment (PrEP), doxyPEP to help prevent some STIs, and increased TB testing through outreach work.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:
“Axess is making a real difference to people’s lives across Liverpool. Residents are getting quick access to testing, treatment, contraception and expert advice when they need it most.
“The service is delivering excellent results, helping us reduce infections, improve sexual health and reach communities who may otherwise find it difficult to access support.
“By extending the contract, we can continue building on that success and invest in new ways of preventing HIV, STIs and tuberculosis. Prevention is always better than cure, and these improvements will help keep more people healthy for longer.
“As a Fast-Track City+, Liverpool has been a leader in tackling HIV and improving sexual health outcomes. This decision ensures we continue that leadership while investing in the latest prevention tools and services for our residents.”
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Axess is delivering high-quality care and achieving strong results across a wide range of measures. The service is helping people access support quickly, get tested and treated sooner, and make informed choices about their sexual health.
“We’ve seen important improvements in recent years, including a reduction in late HIV diagnoses and better access to contraception. The service’s outreach work is also helping us connect with people and communities who are at greater risk of poor health outcomes.
“The new prevention measures approved by Cabinet will strengthen this work even further. Injectable PrEP, doxyPEP and expanded TB testing represent some of the latest advances in public health prevention and will help us reduce infections and health inequalities across the city.
“This investment also supports Liverpool’s Fast-Track Cities+ commitment. By expanding access to testing, prevention and early treatment, we’re helping drive progress towards ending new HIV transmissions, reducing stigma and ensuring everyone can access the care and support they need.”
The contract extension will run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2029, helping ensure Liverpool residents continue to have access to high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare while supporting the council’s wider ambitions to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and prevent ill health across the city.
