Dear GPs in Cardiff and Vale, 8th June 2016

Introduction of dual chlamydia and gonorrhoea NAAT in general practice settings in Cardiff and the Vale UHB

We are going to launch an evaluation scheme for dual testing chlamydia and gonorrhoea NAAT test in primary care from 1st June 2016. The aim of this scheme is to make the test more accessible to patients and to detect gonorrhoea in patients who may not otherwise come into contact with sexual health services. You simply add gonorrhoea test request onto the same form you use for chlamydia. Specimens can be collected in the same way e.g. first-pass urine specimen in men (ideally having held urine for at least 1 hour) and vulvo-vaginal swab in women (self-taken or clinician taken).

From public health perspective, there is growing concern of increasing rates of gonorrhoea in Wales. Additionally there has also been outbreak of azithromycin-resistant gonorrhoea in Leeds, north of England and it has since spread to the West Midlands and south of England, including London. Therefore it becomes ever so important for patients to have the test and receive the correct treatment.

Patient who has positive gonorrhoea test should be informed of the diagnosis and referred to Department of Sexual Health (DOSH), Cardiff Royal Infirmary. Please refer the patient using the referral form in this implementation pack and fax to the clinic immediately. The patient can self refer to our clinic with a copy of the referral letter, or alternatively, our health care advisor will contact the patient to book an appointment. The patient will then receive antibiotic sensitivity testing, treatment, counselling, partner notifications and test of cure following treatment.

At this point in time, due to information governance, the lab cannot directly send us the details of patient who has positive gonorrhoea to us. Therefore it is very important for the GP practice to fax in the referral form to DOSH, and our health advisers can chase this up.

For an up to date clinic opening time, please visit our website: http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/cri-opening-times

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated and if you do have any feedback, please let us know.

Our health advisors at DOSH, Cardiff Royal Infirmary can be contacted at 02920 498900 (you can leave voicemail message) and DOSH secretariat number is 02920 335169. The current GUM consultant overseeing this project is Dr Nurul Huda Mohamad Fadzillah who can be contacted at .

Many thanks,

Dr Nurul Huda Mohamad Fadzillah

Locum GUM and HIV Consultant

Department of Sexual Health

Cardiff Royal Infirmary