Media alert: Westminster young people offered free Chlamydia testing

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Westminster Primary Care Trust is calling on young people aged 15 – 24 to come forward for free confidential Chlamydia testing .This week is national sexual health week organised by the fpa (Family Planning Association) in the UK.

In Westminster, details of the Chlamydia Screening Programme are available by phoning 020 8962 4454. Testing is available in sexual health clinics, and in the community to young people at colleges, universities, markets and youth centres through an outreach programme. The Trust is also extending the programme to include community pharmacies and general practices.

Taking a test is a simple process which just involves filling in a form and providing a urine sample for men and a self-taken swab for women. Results are sent by letter, text, or phone. Anyone testing positive will be offered a choice of clinics where they can be treated and treatment usually involves just one dose of antibiotics. Chlamydia screening services are quick, free and confidential.

Dr Connie Smith, Westminster PCT Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health said:” One in 10 sexually active young people have Chlamydia yet most people have no signs or symptoms so are not aware they even have it. The good news is that once diagnosed it can be treated quickly and easily with antibiotics. But in some people if left untreated it can cause longer term health problems such as infertility.”

Last year there were more than 79,557 cases among the under 25s nationally, meaning the rate has more than doubled in the last nine years. There are more than 100,000 new cases of Chlamydia a year in England and Wales.

ENDS

For more information please contact Westminster Primary Care Trust’s Communications Department 020 7150 8243

1. Westminster Primary Care Trust (PCT) is the NHS body responsible for health services in Westminster. The PCT came into being on 1 April 2002. We share our boundaries with the City of Westminster, extending to Regent’s Park in the north, Queen’s Park in the west and Covent Garden in the east. Our southern boundary follows the north bank of the River Thames. While we serve 244,000 residents, there are a million people who live, work and visit Westminster each day and can use our services. Westminster PCT employs just over one thousand staff.