Teen 'pregnancy strategy not working'

Doctors have hit out at Lincolnshire's strategy to prevent teen pregnancies – after reports of a 12-year-old dad put the issue back into the spotlight.

The situation of Alfie Patten from East Sussex, who allegedly fathered baby Maisie with a 14-year-old, has prompted Lincolnshire GPs to speak out.

Figures from the Tackling Teenage Pregnancy team reveal more teenage girls are getting pregnant.

And more are having abortions than the national average.

Despite the county service receiving an annual budget of £255,000, latest statistics reveal that in 2006 there were 35.9 conceptions per 1,000 girls under the age of 18 in Lincolnshire compared to 34.8 in 2005.

And 28 per cent of county abortions carried out in 2007 were on girls aged 19 and under – a total of 446 out of 1,593.

GP Dr Paddy Twomey, medical secretary of Lincolnshire's Local Medical Committee, said: "I know there are a lot of schemes going to tackle teenage pregnancy but there are also the statistics showing that something is not working."

Kirsty Sutherland (19), of Lincoln has a 19-month-old daughter, Chelsea, and a nine-month old son Jack.

"It's hard work but I find it fun having kids," she said.

"I think girls often know they're pregnant and put it to the back of their minds until they start showing. I'd tell Chelsea not to have children as young as I did but if she did I'd be there for her."

For more on the county's teen mums, see Thursday's Echo.