Case Studies
Concomitant Screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
Introduction
This service facilitates non-invasive and simultaneous testing for two common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases – chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
The Problem
As the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases increases, the sexual health of young people in Britain is becoming an increasing concern for the health service.
Local genito-urinary medicine (GUM) services are operating at maximum capacity. This service involves opportunistic testing in clinics, GP surgeries and walk-in centres. The service facilitates testing for clients who are reluctant to attend a GUM clinic, because they do not wish to be examined or undergo invasive testing. The traditional single chlamydia testing does not screen for gonorrhoea and, therefore, can create a false sense of security in people whose chlamydia results are negative.
The Solution
The Concomitant Screening for Gonorrhoea within a Chlamydia Screening Programme was developed by the Liverpool Chlamydia Screening Programme Steering Group*, the Genito-Urinary Medicine department of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and staff at sites offering the service.
The service is available at over 84 sites (medical and non-medical) in the Liverpool, South Sefton and Knowsley areas, providing an accessible alternative to GUM services to people under the age of 25 years.
Furthermore, the service screens for both chlamydia and gonorrhoea in parallel, using a non-invasive urine test.
The Process
To establish the service, North Liverpool PCT** was granted funding from the Department of Health, and the PCTs involved have since secured additional funding to support the service.
The service was submitted by Liverpool PCT into TrusTECH‘s annual innovation competition in 2006 and was awarded a joint first prize in the service category. Following the identification of the service through the competition,
TrusTECH distributed information about the service via its Newsletter, Service Innovation Bulletin and website. In addition, TrusTECH provided the opportunity for representatives from the service to deliver a workshop about the benefits and implementation of the service at the Service Innovation Showcase (December 2006).
To date, the service has been adopted by Leeds PCT and Screening Programmes in the Wirral, West Cheshire, and East and Central Cheshire are interested in adopting the service.
How can I find out more?
For further information please contact Emma Malpeli, TrusTECH Service Innovation Manager (T: 0161 276 5970). Click here to view other innovative services that are available through TrusTECH.