Dear members, Thank you for taking part in this consultation led by the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) team at Public Health England. We would welcome your views if your service is involved in any testing for chlamydia regardless of whether or not this is part of NCSP screening (i.e. either as screening or for clinical diagnosis). Presently, there are two … [Read more...]
Millions should be offered routine HIV testing, NICE and Public Health England say on World Aids Day
HIV testing should be offered in A&Es and GP practices depending on local HIV prevalence, says NICE and PHE in new guidance NICE and Public Health England recommend HIV testing is offered to millions of people living in areas with a high prevalence of HIV. Up to 3.7m people attending routine appointments could be offered a test for HIV by their GP, under new guidance, … [Read more...]
NHS England has power to fund Prep HIV drug, court decides
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the NHS in England has the power to fund a drug which prevents HIV infection in people at high risk of the virus. NHS England had previously said that local authorities should provide the pre-exposure prophylaxis drug - known as Prep - because they are responsible for preventative health. But the court insisted this fell within the remit … [Read more...]
A&E’s routine HIV testing has helped identify dozens living undiagnosed
A London hospital that introduced routine HIV screening for emergency patients has helped diagnose dozens of people who were unaware they were living with HIV. Since July 2015, patients over the age of 16 who are already undergoing blood tests at St Thomas’ Hospital A&E are tested for HIV at the same time, unless they chose to opt out. During the first year of the … [Read more...]
STI rates continue to rise among gay and biseuxal men
5th July 2016 Attitude "We are failing to meet the sexual health needs of gay and bisexual men." Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are continuing to rise among gay and bisexual men, new figures have shown. New data published by Public Health England today (July 5) show that of the 434,456 STIs reported in England in 2015, 54,275 were among men who have sex with men … [Read more...]