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Liverpool wins award for new sexually transmitted infection screening programme
10 July 2006
Liverpool wins award for new sexually transmitted infection screening programme
People under the age of 25 in Liverpool, South Sefton and Knowsley can now be screened for two of the most common sexually transmitted infections in one self-provided sample.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the two most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections and within most of the Chlamydia Screening Programmes nationally, people are screened for chlamydia alone. But in the Liverpool area, a team hosted by North Liverpool PCT have implemented a service that tests for both infections at the same time. The person can provide a sample themselves at one of 84 sites across the area. These samples are then processed by the Clinical Microbiology Department at University Hospital Aintree, who were the first laboratory in the UK to introduce the new technology which makes this dual screening possible.
The team has been awarded first prize for their idea in an NHS innovations competition run by TrusTECH®, the NHS Innovations organisation that recognises and supports innovative ideas from NHS staff across the North West.
Sara Lavelle, who leads the screening team at North Liverpool PCT, says: “These two common infections are sometimes present together and traditional single screening for chlamydia alone doesn’t pick that up. With our method, the client produces just one single urine sample or swab and that covers both tests.”
Presenting the awards at the Lowry in Salford Quays, Manchester on behalf of TrusTECH, Dr Maire Smith, National Director of Technology and Product Innovation (Department of Health) said: “North Liverpool currently screens more people than anywhere else in the country, possibly because it offers this dual screening programme that give people peace of mind. The dual test costs no more than single screening. It has been designed with the patient in mind and delivers a superb service.”
Finalists in the awards were:
- (joint first) a perinatal mental health project (Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust and Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust and Salford SureStart)
- (third) a diabetes patient education programme (Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT)
- (highly commended) an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) and hearing clinic for children with Downs Syndrome (Central Manchester and Manchester Children’ University Hospitals Trust)
- (highly commended) an interactive health promotion initiative for men (South Sefton PCT and Southport and Formby PCT)
END
Photo of Sara receiving prize. Left to right Dr Maire Smith, Sara Lavelle, Mr Don Hammond (TrusTECH Chairman)
For further information, contact
- Emma Smith, Communications Officer, TrusTECH.
Tel: 0161 276 6964
Email: emmasmith@trustech.org.uk
Notes for Editors
The North West NHS Innovation Awards is an annual competition managed by TrusTECH
The competition is open to all NHS staff in the North West and people holding honorary NHS contracts. The aims of the competition are to:
- Identify innovations that have the potential to deliver improved healthcare
- Stimulate and encourage a culture that is open and receptive to change by raising the profile of innovation in the NHS
- Raise awareness of the importance of innovation management among NHS staff
- Provide innovative NHS staff and departments with recognition for their ideas
Set up in 2002, TrusTECH is an NHS organisation that provides NHS staff in the North West with advice on identifying, protecting, sharing and commercialising healthcare innovations
TrusTECH is based at Manchester Royal Infirmary, with offices in Liverpool and Preston, and is part of the NHS Innovations network (www.innovations.nhs.uk)