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Written question asked by Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 June 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 June 2023. It was answered by Neil O'Brien (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Disease Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to data on gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses, published by the UK Health and Security Agency on 6 June 2023, what steps his Department is taking to reduce gonorrhoea and syphilis infections.

Answer

Sexual health services play a key public health role in diagnosis, early treatment and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including syphilis and gonorrhoea. We are providing more than £3.5 billion to local authorities through the Public Health Grant to fund public health services, including sexual health services, in this financial year. Individual local authorities are responsible for and well placed to make funding and commissioning decisions about the sexual health services that best meet the needs of their local populations, ensuring patients can be adequately diagnosed and treated to avoid further transmission and long-term health problems.

As part of the HIV Action Plan, we are investing over £3.5 million from 2021 to 2024 to deliver the National HIV Prevention Programme for England, including HIV Testing Week and other campaigns to improve information and testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other STIs.

The UK Health Security Agency supports local areas to improve sexual health service delivery through data monitoring and reporting. It has also published a Syphilis Action Plan to address the increase in syphilis diagnosis in England, focusing on key interventions such as targeted testing, partner notification and awareness raising.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
188356
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Disease control Gonorrhoea Syphilis
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk