The Department of Health have issued a Statement on the future direction of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP). To view this statement click here.
The NCSP and Health Protection Agency remain committed to our vision that all sexually active young people should be offered chlamydia testing as a routine part of every primary care and sexual health consultation and are continuing to work towards this in 2011/12. This should lead to broader conversations about sexual health as well as preventing the long-term complications of chlamydia, and should contribute to the reduction of other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
January 2011
In November 2010 the Public Health White Paper, Healthy Lives, Healthy People was published, this sets out the government's ambition for public health. The core features of this are to establish a new body, Public Health England, as part of the Department of Health (DH), and the return to local government of public health leadership and responsibility. The White Paper also outlined that there will be a sexual health strategy due to be published in Spring 2011.
Two other important papers were published on the DH website in December 2010:
a consultation paper "Healthy Lives, Healthy People: transparency in outcomes, proposals for a public health outcomes framework" This is how the Department proposes they will measure success in public health both nationally and locally, to view this click here. It is proposed that the new public health framework will be in operation from April 2012, during 2011/12, work will need to focus on preparing for and implementing transition arrangements. In brief the Public Health Outcomes Framework sets out five domains associated with 63 selected indicators there are three indicators relevant to sexual health in particular and one specifically related to our programme of work. These are one in domain on Health improvement- Under 18 conception rate D3.8 and two in the domain on the prevention of ill health - Diagnosis rate of chlamydia 15 to 24 year olds D4.8 and Proportion of persons presenting with HIV at a late stage of infection D4.9.
"Health Lives, Healthy People: consultation on the funding and commissioning routes for public health". The document outlines that the Department proposes that local authorities will be responsible for commissioning comprehensive open-access sexual health services using funds from the ring-fenced public health budget, to view this click here. This includes commissioning testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including opportunistic chlamydia testing; high quality partner notification activity and working with GP practices to encourage opportunistic testing and treatment of STIs in primary care.
The good news for the Programme is that sexual health features strongly in both the Public Health White Paper and the Public Health Outcomes Framework. We recommend that you review these documents; responses to these consultation exercises are due by 31 March 2011.
The commitment from the DH to continue a Chlamydia Screening Programme after April 2011 remains and consideration is now being given to how this may be enhanced and possibly modified. The direction of travel includes consolidating progress to date and beginning to forge strong links with local authorities. This will be especially important amidst all these changes, as it is vital that sexual health services are delivered effectively and that young people continue to have access to quality services in primary care offering chlamydia testing and treatment. We know that next year the priority for the national team is to support local areas success outcomes (rather than process) and quality of service for their young people.
29th October 2010
The future of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme after April 2011.
The Department of Health has confirmed that there is a commitment to continue a Programme after April 2011 and are considering how it can be enhanced and possibly modified.
Later this year, the Government will publish a White Paper setting out details of a new Public Health Service and a programme for Public Health. The Department is engaging with the public health community in the lead up to the White Paper, for example, through the Regional Directors of Public Health and their teams and local networks. There will be formal consultations on elements of the new policy after the White Paper is published. Once we have further news about the Programme specifically we will communicate this to you all.
4th June 2010
The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) full year data for 2009/10 has now been published, to view this click here.
The data shows that across England the dedication and commitment of the local chlamydia screening teams has resulted in real achievement. Some of the successes that should be noted are:
Nationally 22.1 per cent of the 15-24 year old population have been tested for chlamydia in 2009/10 with 1,524,339 tests performed outside of GUM.
560,175 tests were reported outside of GUM clinics between 1st January 2010 – 31st March 2010. This equates to 8.1 per cent of the target population. Compared to the same quarter last year (Quarter 4, 2008/09) there is a 45 per cent increase in number of tests and a 91 per cent increase in number of tests over the first quarter of 2009/2010.
The Overall Coverage of the Programme has increased by 43 per cent from 2008/09 to 2009/10 (this is over 459,900 more tests in 2009/10 than 2008/09).
Fifty six Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) met this year’s expectation and tested 25 per cent of their 15-24 year old population.
In 2009/2010, 110 PCTs met or exceeded the 20 per cent mark.
Three Strategic Health Authorities have hit the expectation of 25 per cent; these are London (26.1 per cent), the East Midlands (25.7 per cent) and the North East (25.4 per cent).
Three PCTs exceeded next year’s expectation of screening 35 per cent of their target population, these are Lambeth (40.8 per cent), Lewisham (38.4 per cent) and South Birmingham (35.7 per cent).
The NCSP is seeing more GPs registering to start testing. So far, there are already 8,077 GPs registered to test in England, a five per cent increase on the previous quarter (7,676). This represents approximately 66 per cent of GPs in England.
The NCSP strategy to promote the important role of the NCSP core services of sexual and reproductive health services, general practice, community pharmacy and termination of pregnancy services has been successfully communicated within the NHS and we have seen an increase in numbers tested in these service from 2008/9 (357,287) to 2009/10 (480,243). This equates to 122,956 more tests from these services, an increase of 34 per cent.
We have seen an increase in the proportion of men accepting a chlamydia test from 26 per cent in 2008/09 (277,073) to 33 per cent in 2009/10 (492,038). This represents an increase of 78 per cent.
In women we have seen an increase of over 246,510 tests performed during 2009/2010 which represents an increase of 32 percent in testing numbers.
Positivity in 2009/10 is at 6 per cent, this is a decline from 2008/09 (7.3 per cent). A decline in positivity is to be expected as numbers tested increase, however, moving forward a focus of the NCSP is to ensure that the most at risk groups for chlamydia are being targeted.
The percentage of the population aged 15-24 accepting testing for chlamydia must increase with time for the NCSP to be cost effective and impact on prevalence. To achieve this it is vital that:
All PCTs work towards the 35 per cent expectation this year. The NCSP team is on hand to support PCTs in the delivery of the local programme.
PCTs should work towards effective commissioning through collaborative procurement at a local and regional level to deliver a value for money service. The NCSP team is on hand to support PCTs in the delivery of effective local commissioning.
The offer of a chlamydia test to young people attending the NCSP core services of general practice, community pharmacy, sexual and reproductive health services and termination of pregnancy services should be a routine one. The NCSP expects that at a minimum 60 per cent of all tests from the Programme should be performed in these health care venues during 2010/11.
Embedding testing and treatment within the primary care core services remains our focus. At this time we should review current practice and invest in workforce development to achieve this aim. It is important to invite engagement to the NCSP from all of the key stakeholders working in these services.
The focus of chlamydia screening teams must reflect their main function in planning, coordinating and supporting local service development to ensure a quality service. For PCTs requiring further support and advice on reaching this year’s chlamydia testing expectation please contact your Regional Facilitator or the NCSP Service Development Lead, Jozef Bartovic at jozef.bartovic@hpa.org.uk.
25th March 2010
Today the response from the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency to the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts report “Young People's sexual health: the National Chlamydia Screening Programme" was published. These treasury minutes can be viewed by clicking here.
Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK. The Programme has made significant progress in improving access to opportunistic chlamydia screening for young people in the community since its launch in 2003. It is important that the Programme continues to improve and develop in the coming years to provide a quality service that is value for money and helps more young people to be made aware of the health risks associated with this common STI.
28th January 2010
Today the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts published their report "Young People's sexual health: the National Chlamydia Screening Programme" (NCSP), to view the full report please click here. This follows the National Audit Office Value for Money study that was published in November 2009. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the Department of Health are continuing to work closely together and will, in due course, respond formally to this report.
Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK. The Programme has made significant progress in improving access to opportunistic chlamydia screening for young people in the community since its launch in 2003. It is important that the Programme continues to improve and develop in the coming years to provide a quality service that is value for money and helps more young people to be made aware of the health risks associated with this common STI.
The HPA and NCSP will continue to provide practical advice and support to all those in the Programme working hard to target this infection. As part of this commitment earlier this month guidance for commissioners on the cost of providing chlamydia screening in primary care and other community services was made available on the NCSP website. This report can be downloaded by clicking here.
8 January 2010
Chlamydia. Worth Talking About
The second strand of the new campaign "Sex. Worth Talking About" is based on tackling chlamydia and launched on January 8th 2010. This campign features TV, radio, PR and digital channels.
Posters from the campaign have been created to help local areas produce relevant and up to date materials, both Chlamydia. Worth Talking About and Contraception. Worth Talking About posters are now available to download from the stakeholder website.
To find out more and see the resources available please log on to http://www.nhs.uk/sexualhealthprofessional/Pages/index.aspx
11 December 2009
Preparing locally for the chlamydia strand of the new sexual health and teenage pregnancy campaign.
Last month, the Department of Health and the Department for Children Schools and Families, together with the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) launched a new public information campaign "Sex. Worth talking about." To find out more about this new campaign and, over time, access campaign resource materials please click here.
The chlamydia strand of the "Sex. Worth talking about" campaign to the general public begins in January 2010. This will focus on encouraging young people to accept a chlamydia test when one is offered.
Before this begins, there are a few activities that local areas should be considering both so that the Programme is prepared for but also so that we can capitalise on the raised awareness that the campaign will create. Specific activities might include:
Informing your existing screening providers that the campaign is coming and encouraging them to prepare, especially general practitioners.
Engaging the core primary care service providers who are not currently screening as part of the NCSP, encouraging and activating them to do so because of the campaign
Informing your lab services that demand may rise in the first three months of next year as a result of this activity.
Ensuring kits are in ready supply for distribution to the screening network and that screening providers know how to order them.
With your help the campaign will equip a whole range of professionals to have well informed, confident and joined-up conversations more regularly with young people. This will contribute to the ultimate vision of reducing the transmission and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and reducing teenage and unintended pregnancies in England.
If you have any further questions on the campaign please email these to SHStakeholder@bluerubicon.com.
26 November 2009
Yesterday the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) met to take evidence from senior officials from the Department of Health (DH) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) about the National Audit Office (NAO) Value for Money review of the NCSP.
The PAC will now write a report providing recommendations to the government on what actions should be taken moving forward. This report should be available publicly in mid January. The findings and recommendations of the PAC will be based on the hearing yesterday and the NAO report. The DH, in consultation with the HPA, will then make a formal response.
Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK. The Programme has made significant progress in improving access to opportunistic chlamydia screening for young people in the community since its launch in 2003. It is important that the Programme continues to improve and develop in the coming years to provide a quality service that is value for money and helps more young people to be made aware of the health risks associated with this common STI. The HPA and NCSP will continue to provide practical advice and support to all those in the Programme working hard to target this infection.
12 November 2009
National Audit Office Value for Money and Hussey Review
Today two important reports relating to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme are to be published: the National Audit Office (NAO) Value for Money study and the Governments Independent Review undertaken by Dr Ruth Hussey.
The NAO report will be reviewed in detail at a Parliament Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting to be held on Wednesday 25 November. At this both the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the Department of Health (DH) will give their formal response to the NAO report. As part of this process the HPA has to ensure that any communications prior to the PAC hearing are confined to material contained in the NAO Report itself.
The NAO Value for Money audit focuses on two concerns: whether the Programme will be able to achieve its stated aims of reducing chlamydia infection, and whether the delivery model is providing value for money.
Although the main conclusion of this audit is that the delivery of the Programme to date has not demonstrated value for money, it finds that half of the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) last year were attaining levels of chlamydia testing that are likely to impact on chlamydia prevalence. The report provides useful recommendations for future strategic directions for the Programme, which will help PCTs to improve local delivery.
The Hussey review also highlights areas where the Programme can be improved and put on to a more sustainable, effective, and efficient footing. These findings will be uploaded on to the DH website today.
Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the UK. The Programme has made significant progress in improving access to opportunistic chlamydia screening for young people in the community since its launch in 2003. It is a major lever for the development of sexual health services in the community in England, and it is highly important that it continues to expand in the coming years, increasing screening coverage levels and helping more young people to be made aware of this sexually transmitted infection and their sexual health.
June 2009
More young people than ever before are being screened for chlamydia. Nearly one and a half million (1,462,637) tests have been performed by the NCSP between 2003 and the end of March 2009.
We have seen a positvity rate of 8.8 per cent among screened women and 7.4 per cent in screened men since the programme began. Highest positvity levels have been found in women aged 16-19; men aged 20-24, those reporting behavioural risk factors and certain ethnic groups.
One of the main aims of the NCSP is to prevent and control chlamydia through early detection and treatment of asymptomatic infection. To help achieve this, for the period of the operating Framework (2008-2011), the Vital Signs Indicator has an expectation that 17 per cent of the target population should be screened in 2008/9 and that this should rise to 25 per cent in 2009/10 and 35 per cent in 2010/11
These increases in coverage are based on a mathematical modelling study which predicted the declines in chlamydia prevalence that would be observed at certain coverage levels. Turner et al (2006) model indicated that annual screening of 30 per cent of men and women under 25 years of age with 20 per cent partner notification would reduce the population prevalence of chlamydia by 29 per cent after one year and 68 per cent after five years.
To register as chlamydia screening site with the NCSP please enter your post code or select your region on the map on the right to find your local Chlamydia Screening Office who will be able to assist you with this.
Dec 2008
Approximately one in 12 young people tested by the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) have chlamydia.
Testing and treatment for chlamydia is quick, easy (no examination), confidential and free.
Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, but left untreated, chlamydia, can lead, in women, to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. In men it may cause urethritis and epidydimitis. In both sexes it can cause arthritis.
In England, the NCSP provide a wide choice of opportunities for men and women under 25 to get tested and treated for chlamydia.
The test and treatment is quick, easy, confidential and free. The test requires no examination. It requires a urine sample from men and a self taken vaginal swab for women.
To register your site with the NCSP please enter your post code or select your region on the map on the right.
Chlamydia is often asymptomatic so a large proportion of cases remain undiagnosed, but infection can be diagnosed easily (young people can do the test themselves), and treated effectively.
To find your local Chlamydia Screening Office or to register with us enter your post code or select your region on the map
