SEXUAL health clinics in Comet country have significantly failed to hit a Government target. According to figures released by the Health Protection Agency, statistics for the East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) show that 47 per cent of p

SEXUAL health clinics in Comet country have significantly failed to hit a Government target.

According to figures released by the Health Protection Agency, statistics for the East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) show that 47 per cent of people who contacted a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic were seen within 48 hours in November 2006.

This is well below the 2006/07 target of 81 per cent.

A spokesman for the PCT said: "Ensuring access to GUM services is a key target for PCTs and we are committed to improving our services to best meet local need.

"The PCT has secured capital funding which will be invested in our hospital and community clinics to pay for the upgrade of IT systems.

"We are also keen to learn from the very best and have recently met with a national advisory group to see how we can develop our sexual health and family planning services with advice from the areas of the country that are excellent performers."

The national target is to ensure 100 per cent of patients are offered an appointment to be seen within 48 hours by GUM services by 2008.