Written question asked by Lord Lansley (Conservative) on Friday, 5 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 October 2007. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 October 2007 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Chlamydia Infection: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage primary care trusts to ensure that pharmacies offer chlamydia testing kits as part of the chlamydia screening programme.

Answer: Chlamydia screening programme areas are encouraged to engage a range of screening venues to participate in the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, including pharmacies.In addition to this, the Department contracted Boots to pilot the potential of community pharmacies as locations for chlamydia screening. Screening started on 14 November 2005. To date, nearly 43,000 screens have been undertaken with a positively rate of around 8 per cent. This pilot is being independently evaluated by TNS Healthcare.In support of commissioners, the Department is working with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the national health service to develop a national template for a chlamydia screening local enhanced service through the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 464 c1163W; 156791
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Diagnosis
Tuesday, 20 February 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Chlamydia Screening
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk