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15/01/2004
Chlamydia screening programme widens
Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson today announced further roll-out of the chlamydia screening programme to cover 16 new areas of England.
Chlamydia is the country's most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) with as many as one-in-10 people infected with the disease. If untreated, chlamydia in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
The chlamydia screening programme will primarily target women under 25 who access sexual health services. This group attends health services more often than young men and suffers more from the long-term consequences. However, the initiative will also be promoting greater uptake of testing amongst men.
Miss Johnson also announced a review of how genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics are modernising.
Melanie Johnson said: "Sexual health services suffered from under-investment over many decades by different administrations. We've already ploughed in millions of pounds to support the sexual health strategy - the first ever such action plan in this country.
"But I know we need to do more. That's why I'm announcing today that sixteen more programmes - covering 50 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) - will now be able to offer chlamydia screening to at-risk groups."
In 2002, genital chlamydial infection was the most common STI diagnosed in GUM clinics, with 82,206 diagnoses made in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Between 2001 and 2002, the number of diagnoses increased by 16% in males and 13% in females.
Highest rates of diagnoses were among women aged 16-19 years and men aged 20-24 years, 1,209 and 842 per 100,000 respectively. The rate of diagnoses among women falls off dramatically after age 24 because of changes in sexual behaviours and mixing patterns and decreased susceptibility.
Most people with chlamydia will not have any symptoms, but if left untreated it can lead to long-term health problems, including infertility. Screening is voluntary, but if a person does want a test, they are asked to complete a test request form and provide a urine sample.
Results should be available within two weeks and if the test is positive the infection will be treated with a course of antibiotics. To prevent re-infection it is important that sexual contacts are also tested and treated where necessary.
The government has committed £35 million investment since 2002 to help fund modernisation of GUM clinics and reduce waiting times.
(gmcg)
Chlamydia is the country's most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) with as many as one-in-10 people infected with the disease. If untreated, chlamydia in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
The chlamydia screening programme will primarily target women under 25 who access sexual health services. This group attends health services more often than young men and suffers more from the long-term consequences. However, the initiative will also be promoting greater uptake of testing amongst men.
Miss Johnson also announced a review of how genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics are modernising.
Melanie Johnson said: "Sexual health services suffered from under-investment over many decades by different administrations. We've already ploughed in millions of pounds to support the sexual health strategy - the first ever such action plan in this country.
"But I know we need to do more. That's why I'm announcing today that sixteen more programmes - covering 50 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) - will now be able to offer chlamydia screening to at-risk groups."
In 2002, genital chlamydial infection was the most common STI diagnosed in GUM clinics, with 82,206 diagnoses made in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Between 2001 and 2002, the number of diagnoses increased by 16% in males and 13% in females.
Highest rates of diagnoses were among women aged 16-19 years and men aged 20-24 years, 1,209 and 842 per 100,000 respectively. The rate of diagnoses among women falls off dramatically after age 24 because of changes in sexual behaviours and mixing patterns and decreased susceptibility.
Most people with chlamydia will not have any symptoms, but if left untreated it can lead to long-term health problems, including infertility. Screening is voluntary, but if a person does want a test, they are asked to complete a test request form and provide a urine sample.
Results should be available within two weeks and if the test is positive the infection will be treated with a course of antibiotics. To prevent re-infection it is important that sexual contacts are also tested and treated where necessary.
The government has committed £35 million investment since 2002 to help fund modernisation of GUM clinics and reduce waiting times.
(gmcg)
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08 February 2005
Chlamydia screening to be made available in pharmacies
Public Health Minister, Melanie Johnston, has announced plans to make chlamydia screening available in high street pharmacies. Independent health care providers are being invited to submit bids to pilot the new scheme in community pharmacieis throughout London and Cornwall, in order to make chlamydia screening more available to young men and women.
Chlamydia screening to be made available in pharmacies
Public Health Minister, Melanie Johnston, has announced plans to make chlamydia screening available in high street pharmacies. Independent health care providers are being invited to submit bids to pilot the new scheme in community pharmacieis throughout London and Cornwall, in order to make chlamydia screening more available to young men and women.
08 December 2003
Stark BMA report paints gloomy picture of teen health
A report from the British Medical Association (BMA) has presented a gloomy assessment of the health of the nation's teenagers.
Stark BMA report paints gloomy picture of teen health
A report from the British Medical Association (BMA) has presented a gloomy assessment of the health of the nation's teenagers.
24 August 2005
Boots to provide free chlamydia screening
High Street pharmacy chain Boots has been awarded a government contract to provide free screening for chlamydia. Boots the Chemists will provide the free and confidential service in all its London pharmacies from November. The service is part of a Department of Health initiative to make it easier for 16-24-year-olds to be tested for the disease.
Boots to provide free chlamydia screening
High Street pharmacy chain Boots has been awarded a government contract to provide free screening for chlamydia. Boots the Chemists will provide the free and confidential service in all its London pharmacies from November. The service is part of a Department of Health initiative to make it easier for 16-24-year-olds to be tested for the disease.
11 June 2003
Sexual health of England in 'rapid decline'
A report by an influential Commons health committee has claimed that the sexual health of population in England is in "rapid decline". In the report published today, the committee said that syphilis rates have increased by 500% in the last six years and those for gonorrhoea have doubled.
Sexual health of England in 'rapid decline'
A report by an influential Commons health committee has claimed that the sexual health of population in England is in "rapid decline". In the report published today, the committee said that syphilis rates have increased by 500% in the last six years and those for gonorrhoea have doubled.
09 April 2010
Chlamydia Screening Warning
Annual chlamydia screening may not protect women from pelvic inflammatory disease, new research has claimed. The British Medical Journals said it is unlikely that single screening for chlamydia will prevent women developing the disease in the following year.
Chlamydia Screening Warning
Annual chlamydia screening may not protect women from pelvic inflammatory disease, new research has claimed. The British Medical Journals said it is unlikely that single screening for chlamydia will prevent women developing the disease in the following year.
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