Guidance

Guidance on expedited syphilis testing and treatment for inclusion health groups

Guidance for healthcare professionals working in settings and contexts where traditional healthcare does not meet the needs of some groups to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 26 August 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Guidance on expedited syphilis testing and treatment for inclusion health groups

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Appendix 1. Background information: syphilis

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Appendix 2. Congenital syphilis

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Appendix 3. Support for healthcare staff: FAQs and script

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Appendix 4. Syphilis testing for secure settings

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Appendix 5. Risks and benefits of using a point-of-contact test (POCT) for syphilis

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Appendix 6. Easy read version of pathway

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Details

This guidance is for healthcare professionals working in settings and contexts such as prisons, mobile clinics, street-based care and asylum settings where traditional specialist sexual health services may not meet the need of some groups.

It uses and applies evidence to help those working in these contexts to diagnose and treat syphilis faster whilst managing the risk of loss to follow up as well as considering clinical need. This guidance should be used alongside other relevant evidence-based guidelines provided for sexual health services as well as setting specific service specifications.

Published 26 August 2026