Minister for fitness Caroline Flint has launched a new programme aimed at increasing the accessibility of heath services for teenagers in four areas of the UK.

The £3.5m Teenage Health Demonstration Sites Programme has been developed to test how health services can become more attractive to teenagers, as well as more receptive to their needs, and will begin on 1 November.

The four sites are in Bolton, Hackney, Northumberland and Portsmouth. They will also pilot adolescent Life Checks, one of the commitments in the Department of Health’s Our Health, Our Care, Our Say White Paper.

Each site will use locations such as youth clubs and sports centres to offer adolescent health advice and information in order to target more young people in what is perceived to be ‘user-friendly environments’ for teenagers.

Local partnership with organisations such as football and rugby clubs are also seen as vital to the success and sustainability of the programmes in each region.

Flint said: “Improving the health and wellbeing of teenagers and getting them interested in their own health is one of our biggest challenges.

“By gaining a better understanding of teenagers’ needs and concerns, we hope to improve the public health of teenagers, including those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.”

The programme will run for two years and be monitored by the Department of Health. Details: www.dh.gov.uk

Photograph: SHOKK