National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP)
Information, data, guidance and resources about the NCSP.
Changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme were announced in June 2021. The content on this page is currently being updated to reflect these changes. See more detail on the history of the NCSP in the external peer review evidence pack.
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, with sexually active young people at highest risk. As chlamydia often has no symptoms and can have serious health consequences (such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubul factor infertility) opportunistic screening remains an essential element of good quality sexual health services for young adults.
Further information on chlamydia is available on the NHS website.
If you require a test kit, these are provided by your local sexual health services who will also provide you with the test result.
Through searching for local online sexual health services, you may be able to access online test kits if these are available in your area.
If you require a medical or sexual health advice, please contact the National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England on 0300 123 7123 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm).
Contact
National chlamydia screening programme (NCSP)
HIV / STI department, Public Health England
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ
Email ncspteam@phe.gov.uk
Programme overview
The aim of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) is to reduce the harms from untreated chlamydia infection. The harmful effects of chlamydia occur predominantly in women so the opportunistic offer of asymptomatic chlamydia screening outside of sexual health services focuses on women, combined with reducing time to test results and treatment, strengthening partner notification and retesting.
Data
Changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme were announced in June 2021. The content on this page is currently being updated to reflect these changes.
Public Health England (PHE) collects data on all chlamydia tests undertaken in England from NHS laboratories, local authorities and NHS commissioned laboratories, to measure screening activity.
Chlamydia activity data reported by PHE are based on primary care and community service chlamydia data from CTAD Chlamydia Surveillance System, and chlamydia data from GUMCAD STI Surveillance System.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles
Public Health Outcome Framework data tool
Chlamydia diagnosis rate indicator: summary of revised rate (June 2013)
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): annual data tables
- National chlamydia screening programme (NCSP): data tables
- Chlamydia: guidance on reporting in CTAD and GUMCADv2
- Public Health Outcomes Framework 2013 to 2016
- NCSP: annual chlamydia diagnosis rate calculator tool
- HIV and STI: data sharing policy
- Chlamydia Testing Activity Dataset (CTAD): specification and technical guidance
Commissioning and provider guidance
Changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme were announced in June 2021. The content on this page is currently being updated to reflect these changes.
Guidance to support the commissioning of chlamydia screening and guidance for providers and local authorities on how to integrate chlamydia screening into primary care and sexual health services.
Patient Group Directions (PGDs) guidance
NCSP: management of results guidance
NCSP: chlamydia screening in sexual and reproductive health services
- Audit and commissioning sexual health services
- Public health services non-mandatory contract
- NCSP: chlamydia care pathway
- Chlamydia Testing Activity Dataset: commissioning guidance
- Chlamydia: commissioning internet based screening
- Chlamydia: integrating screening into primary care and sexual health services
- Chlamydia screening in general practice and community pharmacies
- Chlamydia detection rate: considerations for commissioning
- NCSP: chlamydia re-testing discussion guide
- NCSP: chlamydia re-testing models of practice
- NCSP: re-testing of positive chlamydia cases report
- Commissioning Sexual Health Services and Interventions: Best Practice Guidance for Local Authorities
- A Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England
- NCSP: text messaging for test results communication
- NCSP: web survey report
Quality assurance (QA)
Changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme were announced in June 2021. The content on this page is currently being updated to reflect these changes.
The NCSP is committed to supporting the highest possible standards in the commissioning and provision of chlamydia screening. The NCSP Quality Assurance (QA) framework sets out the NCSP strategy for QA.
Past reports are available from the archived NCSP website.
Programme materials
Changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme were announced in June 2021. The content on this page is currently being updated to reflect these changes.
Downloadable versions of the compulsory Patient Information Leaflet and other materials are available to support marketing of the National Chlamydia Screening Programmes (NCSP) locally.
Materials can also be downloaded from the campaign resources page at the NHS Choices Sexual Health Professional website.
Last updated 24 June 2021 + show all updates
-
Added statement about the changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme.
-
Added details on requiring a test kit and the National Sexual Health Helpline.
-
Added 'Audit and commissioning sexual health services' document.
-
Added the ‘NCSP: incidents reporting policy’ under QA.
-
First published.