Collection

National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP)

Information, data, guidance and resources about the NCSP.

Published 1 January 2003
Last updated 18 July 2017 — see all updates

• From: Public Health England

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 (eg 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 from NHS Choices.

Contact

National chlamydia screening programme (NCSP)

HIV / STI department, Public Health England
61 Colindale Avenue

London
NW9 5EQ

Email ncspteam@phe.gov.uk

Telephone: 0208 327 7436 or 020 8327 7414

Fax: 0208 200 7868

Programme overview

A substantial proportion of all young adults become infected with chlamydia in a year. The aim of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) is to control chlamydia through early detection and treatment of asymptomatic infection, so reducing onward transmission and the consequences of untreated infection.

1. NCSP: programme overview
   • 1 January 2003
   • Guidance
2. Chlamydia screening: evidence summary and briefing
   • 1 April 2014
   • Research and analysis
3. NCSP: re-testing of positive chlamydia cases report
   • 1 August 2013
   • Guidance

Data

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)

Annual chlamydia diagnosis rate: frequently asked questions

PHE: protection of personal information and data

1. CTAD Chlamydia Surveillance System
   • 12 March 2018
   • Guidance
2. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): annual data tables
   • 5 June 2018
   • Official Statistics
3. National chlamydia screening programme (NCSP): data tables
   • 5 June 2018
   • Official Statistics
4. Chlamydia: guidance on reporting in CTAD and GUMCADv2
   • 26 February 2016
   • Guidance
5. Public Health Outcomes Framework 2013 to 2016
   • 10 December 2015
   • Policy paper
6. NCSP: annual chlamydia diagnosis rate calculator tool
   • 1 November 2014
   • Guidance
7. HIV and STI: data sharing policy
   • 23 July 2009
   • Guidance
8. Chlamydia Testing Activity Dataset (CTAD): specification and technical guidance
   • 1 January 2003
   • Guidance

Commissioning and provider guidance

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: outreach guidance

NCSP: management of results guidance

NCSP: chlamydia screening in sexual and reproductive health services

NCSP: NHS community pharmacy contractual framework

NCSP: involving young men in chlamydia screening practical guide

NCSP: young men chlamydia screening – a qualitative evaluation

NCSP: equitable access to chlamydia screening for men

1. NCSP: chlamydia care pathway
   • 13 May 2016
   • Guidance
2. Chlamydia Testing Activity Dataset: commissioning guidance
   • 18 August 2015
   • Guidance
3. Chlamydia: commissioning internet based screening
   • 18 March 2015
   • Guidance
4. Public health services non-mandatory contract
   • 1 August 2018
   • Guidance
5. Chlamydia: integrating screening into primary care and sexual health services
   • 11 November 2014
   • Guidance
6. Chlamydia screening in general practice and community pharmacies
   • 11 November 2014
   • Guidance
7. Chlamydia detection rate: considerations for commissioning
   • 11 November 2014
   • Guidance
8. NCSP: chlamydia re-testing discussion guide
   • 1 March 2014
   • Guidance
9. NCSP: chlamydia re-testing models of practice
   • 1 March 2014
   • Guidance
10. Commissioning Sexual Health Services and Interventions: Best Practice Guidance for Local Authorities
    • 19 March 2013
    • Guidance
11. A Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England
    • 15 March 2013
    • Guidance
12. NCSP: text messaging for test results communication
    • 11 January 2013
    • Guidance

Quality assurance (QA)

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.

1. NCSP: lessons learned reports
   • 18 July 2017
   • Guidance
2. NCSP: audit reports and tools
   • 5 June 2018
   • Research and analysis
3. NCSP: standards
   • 1 May 2014
   • Guidance
4. NCSP: incidents reporting policy
   • 1 January 2003
   • Guidance
5. NCSP: quality assurance (QA) framework
   • 1 January 2003
   • Guidance

Programme materials

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.

1. NCSP: patient information leaflets
   • 17 July 2017
   • Guidance

Pilots and studies

Collection of information relating to NCSP pilots and studies with results.

1. NCSP: web survey report
   • 1 January 2014
   • Guidance
2. NCSP: 3Cs and HIV programme
   • 1 January 2013
   • Guidance

Published 1 January 2003
Last updated 18 July 2017 + show all updates

1. 18 July 2017 Added the ‘NCSP: incidents reporting policy’ under QA.
2. 1 January 2003 First published.