Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to encourage re-testing of all young adults who test positive for chlamydia; and how many young adults are being re-tested after receiving treatment for chlamydia.

In August 2013, following an evidence review and professional and public consultation, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) updated recommended case management for those testing positive for chlamydia to include the routine offering of re-testing, around three months after treatment. A position statement was published which summarises the consultation process and key feedback received, sets out considerations for local implementation and outlines resources to be developed by the NCSP:

www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/ps/resources/re-testing/NCSP%20Position%20Statement_Re-testing%20of%20Positive%20Chlamydia%20Cases_August%202013_FINAL.pdf

Local authorities are responsible for the commissioning of chlamydia screening and the NCSP provides the following resources to support commissioners to encourage re-testing after a chlamydia diagnosis:

- Discussion guide for healthcare professionals:

http://www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/ps/resources/re-testing/Chlamydia%20re-testing%20discussion%20guide%20March%202014.pdf

- Models of existing practice:

http://www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/ps/resources/re-testing/Chlamydia%20re-testing%20guidance%20-%20Models%20of%20Practice%20March%202014.pdf

A local audit tool is also in development.

Public Health England monitors re-testing rates at seven to 14 weeks following a diagnosis using data from the genitourinary medicine clinic activity dataset (GUMCAD) and the chlamydia testing activity dataset. Rates of re-testing following a chlamydia diagnosis are calculated quarterly. The most recently available data are for diagnoses made between July and September 2013. Re-testing rates are reported separately for GUM and tests in other settings, as individuals cannot be identified between systems due to the anonymous nature of GUM clinic attendances.

Re-testing rate at seven to 14 weeks after a diagnosis, among 15-24 year olds, for those diagnosed between July and September 2013:

- GUM clinics: 11.8%

- Other settings: 13.1%