Research and analysis

Spotlight on sexually transmitted infections in the South West: 2024 data

Updated 12 February 2026

Summary

While this report primarily focuses on the trend between 2023 and 2024, some trends relative to 2019 or earlier are included to provide a comparison to sexual health service provision and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses prior to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021. For England, the numbers of consultations, sexual health screens and STI diagnoses in 2020 and 2021 are lower than preceding years and any trends which include those years must be interpreted in that context.

Access to sexual health services

The number of consultations at sexual health services (SHS) in the South West remained similar between 2023 to 2024 (346,675 vs. 342,649, −1.2%). Whilst the total number of consultations remained similar, there were changes in the numbers of consultations by service medium. There were 6.8% more face-to-face consultations, 8.5% fewer online and 9.7% fewer telephone consultations in 2024 compared to 2023.

Overall incidence

The South West had the second lowest rate of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) regions in England. Whilst incidence was lower compared to other areas, STIs do represent an important public health problem in the South West with some local authorities being disproportionately affected. A total of 25,087 new STIs were diagnosed in South West residents in 2024, representing a rate of 432 diagnoses per 100,000 residents. Rates by upper tier local authority ranged from 317 new STI diagnoses per 100,000 population in Wiltshire to 754 new STI diagnoses per 100,000 population in Bristol.

Changes in main STIs

The number of new STIs diagnosed in South West residents decreased by 11% between 2023 and 2024. Changes were seen in the numbers of the 5 major STIs:

• genital herpes increased by 6%
• syphilis increased by 3%
• genital warts decreased by 7%
• chlamydia decreased by 15%
• gonorrhoea decreased by 23%

National chlamydia screening detection rate indicator

UKHSA recommends that local areas should be working towards achieving a chlamydia detection rate no lower than 3,250 per 100,000 among women aged 15 to 24 years and this is an indicator in the Public Health Outcomes Framework. In 2024, the chlamydia detection rate among South West women aged 15 to 24 years was 1,436 per 100,000 residents. This is a decrease from 1,821 per 100,000 in 2023 (1). The national rate in 2024 was 1,589 per 100,000.

Populations with greater health needs

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

Where gender and sexual orientation are known, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) account for 20% of South West residents diagnosed with a new STI (excluding chlamydia diagnoses reported via CTAD). GBMSM make up the majority of those South West residents diagnosed with syphilis (73%) and gonorrhoea (53%).

The number of GBMSM diagnosed with an STI in the South West has fallen by 4% in 2024. This is largely driven by a reduction in gonorrhoea diagnoses (−6%) as the most prevalent STI diagnosed among GBMSM.

Young people

STIs disproportionately affect young people. South West residents aged between 15 and 24 years accounted for 46% of all new STI diagnoses in 2024. A steep decline has been seen in genital warts diagnosis rates in females aged 15 to 19 following the introduction in 2008 of vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV). In the South West, the rate among females aged 15 to 19 has decreased by 38% from 2020 to 2024.

Black Caribbean residents

Although just 1.1% of all new STIs in the South West are in the Black Caribbean ethnic group, they have the highest rate at 1,451 per 100,000 population. This is 4 times the rate seen in the White ethnic group. This disparity in STI incidence by ethnic group is consistent with previous years’ data, although disparities in incidence between non-White and White ethnic groups have been widening over time (2).

Populations living in more deprived areas

Deprivation remains strongly associated with rates of STIs in the South West. The rate of new STIs among people who lived in the most deprived areas (689 per 100,000) was 2.3 times higher than the rate for people who live in the least deprived areas (299 per 100,000).

UKHSA’s main messages

Commissioners and providers of Sexual Health Services (SHSs) have an important role in communicating messages about safer sexual behaviours and how to access services. Main prevention messages are set out in the following paragraphs.

Using condoms consistently and correctly protects against HIV and other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis – condoms can also be used to prevent unplanned pregnancy

Regular screening for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health – everyone should have an STI screen, including an HIV test, on at least an annual basis if having condomless sex with new or casual partners – and in addition:

• women, and other people with a womb and ovaries, aged under 25 years who are sexually active should have a chlamydia test annually and on change of sexual partner
• gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) should have tests for HIV and STIs annually or every 3 months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners

Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) is recommended to people at risk of syphilis to reduce their risk of infection – doxyPEP is available at specialist SHSs.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is available for free from specialist SHSs and can be used to reduce an individual’s risk of acquiring HIV.

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be used to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV following some sexual exposures – PEP is available for free from most specialist SHSs and most emergency departments.

People living with diagnosed HIV who are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load are unable to pass on the infection to others during sex – this is known as ‘Undetectable=Untransmittable’ or ‘U=U’.

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A and hepatitis B will protect against disease caused by these viruses and prevent the spread of these infections:

• GBMSM can obtain the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines from specialist SHSs – these vaccines are also available for other people at high risk of exposure to the viruses
• GBMSM aged up to and including 45 years can obtain the HPV vaccine from specialist SHSs
• GBMSM who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners or an STI and other high risk groups are eligible (since 1 August 2025) for a meningococcal B disease vaccine (4CMenB) which can protect against gonorrhoea and help tackle the increasing levels of antibiotic resistant strains of the disease
• Mpox vaccination is available for those at increased risk, including GBMSM who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners

Specialist SHSs are free and confidential and offer testing and treatment for HIV and STIs, condoms, vaccination, HIV PrEP and PEP:

• clinic-based services are commissioned for residents of all areas in England
• online self-sampling for HIV and STIs is widely available
• information and advice about sexual health including how to access services is available at NHS.UK (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/) and from the national sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123

Charts, tables and maps

Figure 1: New STI diagnosis rates by UKHSA region of residence, England, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Figure 1 is a column chart comparing rates of new STI diagnoses, per 100,000 population, by UKHSA region of residence in England for 2024.

The South West had the second lowest STI incidence rate among English regions at 431.7, which was a third of the rate in London (1,368.5) which had the highest rate. The new STI diagnosis rate in the South West fell by 11% from 2023 to 2024 (from 484.0).

Figure 2: Number of diagnoses of the 5 main STIs, South West residents, 2020 to 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

It is important to consider whether there have been any changes to testing or vaccination practices when interpreting increases or decreases in STIs.

Any increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses may be due to the increased use of highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and additional screening of extra-genital sites in GBMSM.

Any decrease in genital wart diagnoses may be due to a moderately protective effect of HPV-16/18 vaccination.

Any increase in genital herpes diagnoses may be due to the use of more sensitive NAATs.

Increases or decreases may also reflect changes in testing practices.

Figure 2 is a line chart showing trends in the number of diagnoses of the 5 most commonly diagnosed STIs (chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea and syphilis) among South West residents from 2020 to 2024.

Chlamydia remains the most frequently diagnosed STI in the South West, although diagnoses have continued to fall since 2022. Between 2023 and 2024, chlamydia diagnoses fell by 15%, from 14,756 to 12,569.

Gonorrhoea diagnoses increased after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021, but in the most recent year of data have fallen by almost a quarter (-23%) from 2023 (from 4,889 to 3,764). The number of gonorrhoea diagnoses remains much higher than in 2020, increasing by 95% from 2020 to 2024.

Trends in genital herpes, genital warts and syphilis diagnoses are described under Table 1.

Table 1: Percentage change in new STI diagnoses, South West residents

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Diagnoses	2024	Percentage change 2020 to 2024	Percentage change 2023 to 2024
Chlamydia	12,569	1%	−15%
Genital Herpes	2,243	26%	6%
Genital Warts	1,975	−28%	−7%
Gonorrhoea	3,764	95%	−23%
Syphilis	405	5%	3%
Other	4,131	18%	7%
All new STIs	25,087	10%	−11%

See notes for Figure 2. See section 3.3 for a list of diagnoses that are included in the other STIs.

Table 1 summarises the 5-year and one-year trends in new diagnoses shown in Figure 2, and additionally for all new STIs. It is especially useful for less prevalent STIs because changes for these can be difficult to see in charts that are scaled to include infections with much higher numbers, such as chlamydia.

Within the last 5 years, overall STI incidence has increased among South West residents by 10%, although there was a decrease (−11%) in diagnoses between 2023 and 2024. The overall increase in new STI diagnoses in the last 5 years is largely driven by increases in gonorrhoea (+95%), genital herpes (+26%) and other STIs (+18%). The 11% decrease between 2023 and 2024 largely reflects a reduction in gonorrhoea (−23%) and chlamydia (−15%) diagnoses.

The number of genital herpes diagnoses increased by over a quarter between 2020 and 2024 (+26%), but this is largely due to an increase between 2020 and 2022 (18%), with a smaller rise recorded in the most recent year of data (+6%).

Syphilis diagnoses have increased each year since 2021, but the rate of increase is slowing (33%, 14% and 3% respectively for each year between 2021 and 2024). Genital warts diagnoses are continuing to trend downwards and are 28% lower than in 2020.

Figure 3: Rates of new STIs per 100,000 South West residents by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) and gender, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Figure 3 shows the distribution of STI incidence among South West residents by age group and gender, including chlamydia diagnoses potentially attributable to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP). Those aged under 15 years and above 64 years have been excluded due to the sensitivity of the data or the need to prevent disclosure of small numbers.

The distribution by age and gender is skewed towards females in the younger age groups (those aged 24 and below) and skewed towards males in the older age groups (those aged 25 and above). The highest rates of new diagnoses per 100,000 residents were in females aged 20 to 24 years (2,522), followed by males aged 20 to 24 years (1,814). The lowest rates were among those aged 45 to 64 years (80 for females, 200 for males). These age and gender distributions are similar to previous years.

Between 2023 and 2024, decreases in incidence were observed among younger age groups, including females aged 15 to 19 years (−26%), males aged 20 to 24 years (−21%), females aged 20 to 24 years (−21%), males aged 15 to 19 years (−18%), women aged 25 to 34 years (−4%), and males aged 25 to 34 years (−3%). New diagnoses were stable or increased among other age groups, including males aged 35 to 44 years (0%), females aged 45 to 64 years (+4%), males aged 45 to 64 years (+8%), and females aged 35 to 44 years (+12%).

Figure 4: Rates of gonorrhoea per 100,000 South West residents by age group [note 1] (for those aged 15 to 64 years only), 2020 to 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD

Note 1: Age-specific rates are shown for those aged 15 to 64 years only.

Figure 4 is a line chart showing trends in the rates of new gonorrhoea diagnoses in the South West by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) between 2020 and 2024.

Overall, gonorrhoea rates increased across all age groups between 2020 to 2024, with the largest increases seen in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, rates have reduced among most age groups, however they remain higher than those in 2019 and preceding years (not shown).

The 20 to 24-year age group has consistently had the highest rate of gonorrhoea diagnoses compared to other age groups, but this has dropped notably between 2023 and 2024 (from 494.1 to 271.2 per 100,000, −45%). Rates among those aged 15 to 19 years have also fallen, from 251.6 to 146.3 per 100,000 (−42%).

For the 35 to 44 and 45 to 64 year age groups, gonorrhoea rates have increased in 2024 (by 9% and 17% respectively compared to 2023) but remain lower than the younger age groups.

Figure 5: Rates of genital warts per 100,000 South West residents aged 15 to 19 years by gender, 2020 to 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD

Figure 5 is a line chart showing trends in genital warts diagnoses per 100,000 South West residents aged 15 to 19 years from 2020 to 2024, stratified by gender.

In 2024, rates of genital warts diagnoses have fallen in both males and females, with the rates in the 2 groups now similar (13.7 and 13.1 per 100,000 respectively). In 2024, the rate in females is the lowest it has been since 2015 (data not shown).

Figure 6: Rates of new STIs per 100,000 South West residents by ethnic group, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Figure 6 is a column chart showing rates of new STIs per 100,000 residents by ethnic group for the South West in 2024.

The highest rate of new STI diagnoses was among the Black Caribbean ethnic group, at 1,451.5, followed by the Black African ethnic group at 1,350.4. The White ethnic group had the lowest rate, at 365.3.

This pattern of higher rates in the Black Caribbean and Black African ethnic groups in comparison to the White ethnic group is consistent with previous years’ data, additionally, the disparities in incidence between non-White ethnic groups relative to the White ethnic group have been increasing over time.

Table 2: Percentage of all new STI diagnoses among South West residents by ethnic group, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Ethnic group	Number	Percentage (excluding unknown)
All other ethnic groups combined	1,939	8.7%
Black African	585	2.6%
Black Caribbean	250	1.1%
White	19,398	87.5%
Unknown	2,915	-

Table 2 summarises counts and proportions of new STI diagnoses among South West residents by ethnic group. Those with unknown ethnicity have been excluded from the calculated percentages.

In 2024, among individuals with a reported ethnicity, 87.5% of new diagnoses were from the White ethnic group, followed by the Black African (2.6%) and Black Caribbean (1.1%) ethnic groups. Those of all other ethnic groups combined accounted for 8.7% of new diagnoses. Ethnicity data was missing for 11.6% of all new diagnoses; this is similar to the level of missing data from 2023 (11.5%).

Figure 7: Percentage of South West residents diagnosed with a new STI by world region of birth [note 2], 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD data only

Note 2: Data on country of birth is not collected by CTAD. All information about world region of birth is based on diagnoses made in specialist and non-specialist services which report to GUMCAD.

Figure 7 is a column chart showing the proportion of South West residents diagnosed with a new STI by world region of birth in 2024, excluding chlamydia diagnoses reported via CTAD.

In the South West, 85% of new STI diagnoses occurred among UK-born individuals, followed by 5% from the European Union, 3% from sub-Saharan Africa, and 2% from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Those born in all other world regions combined accounted for 5% of new diagnoses. These proportions are broadly consistent with previous years’ data.

Figure 8: Rates of new STIs per 100,000 population by decile of deprivation [note 3], South West residents, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Note 3: Deciles run from 1 to 10 in order of decreasing deprivation, with 1 being the decile for the most deprived area.

Figure 8 is a column chart showing rates of new STI diagnoses per 100,000 population among South West residents in 2024, by deprivation decile.

Deprivation deciles are based on the 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), which is calculated at the lower super output area of residence (LSOA) level, a unit of geography containing around 1,500 residents. IMD deciles are calculated by LSOA at the national level for England.

Deciles 1 and 2, reflecting the highest levels of deprivation, had the highest rates of new STI diagnoses, at 689 and 659 per 100,000 respectively. STI diagnosis incidence generally fell with decreasing deprivation, with the lowest rate of 299 per 100,000 population observed in the least deprived decile.

Figure 9: Diagnoses of the 5 main STIs among GBMSM [note 4], South West residents, 2020 to 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD data only

Note 4: Data on sexual orientation is not collected by CTAD. All information about GBMSM is based on diagnoses made in specialist and non-specialist services which report to GUMCAD and exclude chlamydia diagnoses via online services.

Note: It is important to consider whether there have been any changes to testing or vaccination practices when interpreting increases or decreases in STIs.

Increases in gonorrhoea may be due to the increased use of highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and additional screening of extra-genital sites in GBMSM.

Decreases in genital wart diagnoses may be due to the moderately protective effect of HPV-16/18 vaccination.

Increases in genital herpes diagnoses may be due to the use of more sensitive NAATs.

Figure 9 is a line graph showing trends in the number of new diagnoses of the five most common STIs among GBMSM in the South West between 2020 and 2024. Data is from GUMCAD only – chlamydia diagnoses from CTAD are excluded.

Gonorrhoea remains the most prevalent STI among GBMSM in the South West. This figure illustrates that a large proportion of the overall increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses in the South West in 2022 (from Figure 2) is due to a rise in diagnoses among GBMSM. Gonorrhoea diagnoses among GBMSM have fallen by 6% between 2023 and 2024 (compared to −23% among all South West residents), yet remain 103% higher than in 2020 and 36% higher than in 2019 (pre COVID-19 pandemic; data not shown).

Among GBMSM in the South West, the incidence of chlamydia and genital warts has risen in the last 5 years, from 523 to 841 diagnoses (+61%) and 117 to 124 diagnoses (+6%) respectively between 2020 and 2024. However, the incidence of both infections has declined relative to 2019 levels, by 22% for chlamydia and 46% for genital warts (data not shown), and there have been no substantial increases in diagnoses observed between 2022 and 2024.

Syphilis (+22%) and genital herpes (+102%) diagnoses have risen among GBMSM relative to 2020, although counts observed in 2024 are comparable to pre-pandemic (2019) levels, with no change in syphilis and a 6% increase in genital herpes.

Table 3: Percentage change in new STI diagnoses in GBMSM residents in the South West

Data sources: GUMCAD data only

Diagnoses	2023	2024	Percentage change 2023 to 2024
Chlamydia	836	841	1%
Genital Herpes	104	105	1%
Genital Warts	134	124	−7%
Gonorrhoea	1,844	1,731	−6%
Syphilis	285	264	−7%
Other	409	412	1%
All new STIs	3,612	3,477	−4%

See notes for Figure 9. See section 3.3 for a list of diagnoses that are included in the other STIs.

Table 3 summarises counts and trends of STI diagnoses among GBMSM residents of the South West between 2023 and 2024. Data is from GUMCAD only – chlamydia diagnoses from CTAD are excluded.

A total of 3,477 new STI diagnoses were observed among South West GBMSM residents in 2024, which is a 4% reduction since the previous year. This decline is largely driven by a reduction in gonorrhoea diagnoses (the most prevalent STI among GBMSM). In 2024, the incidence of gonorrhoea (−6%), syphilis (−7%), and genital warts (−7%) decreased, while chlamydia (+1%) and genital herpes (+1%) stayed relatively stable. A 6% decline in new gonorrhoea diagnoses between 2023 and 2024 among GBMSM is lower than the 23% decline in the total population (Table 1).

Figure 10: Rate of new STI diagnoses per 100,000 population by upper tier local authority of residence, South West, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Figure 10 is a column chart comparing the rate of new STI diagnoses per 100,000 population by upper tier local authority (UTLA) in the South West. Yellow bars represent 95% confidence intervals. The overall regional and national rates are represented by the orange and blue lines respectively.

In 2024, Bristol (754) and Plymouth (686) had a significantly higher STI incidence compared to England (632). Bristol, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (596), Torbay (523), and Swindon (498) had diagnosis rates that were higher than the regional average (432).

Rates in Devon (399), Bath and North East Somerset (386), North Somerset (369), Gloucestershire (354), Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly (340), Somerset (327), and Wiltshire (317) were lower than the regional average. The rate in South Gloucestershire (409) did not significantly differ from the regional rate.

Figure 11: Map of new STI rates per 100,000 residents by upper tier local authority, South West, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Figure 11 is a map of UTLAs in the South West shaded by their overall STI incidence rates per 100,000 residents in 2024.

Figure 12: Rate of new STI diagnoses (excluding chlamydia diagnoses in residents aged under 25 years [note 5]) per 100,000 population by upper tier local authority of residence, South West, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Note 5: Chlamydia diagnoses in the target group of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme NCSP (those aged 15 to 24 years) are excluded because these diagnoses could reflect how NCSP is implemented locally rather than actual prevalence.

Figure 12 is a column chart comparing UTLAs in the South West based on their rate of new STI diagnosis per 100,000 residents. Yellow bars represent 95% confidence intervals. The overall regional and national rates are represented by the orange and blue lines respectively. Compared to Figure 10, Figure 12 has excluded chlamydia diagnoses in those aged 15 to 24 years, as this population includes all individuals targeted by the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP).

With these diagnoses excluded, the regional trends in STI incidence are largely similar to those described in Figure 10, and Bristol is the only local authority with a significantly higher STI incidence than the overall rate for England. In 2024, the proportion of STI diagnoses potentially attributable to the NCSP varied by local authority. Chlamydia among the 15 to 24 year age group accounted for a higher proportion of new STI diagnoses in Devon (40.9%), Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly (37.1%), and Torbay (34.4%), and a lower proportion in Swindon (20.9%), Somerset (26.0%) and Wiltshire (26.5%).

Figure 13: Chlamydia detection rate per 100,000 female residents aged 15 to 24 years by upper tier local authority of residence, South West, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Figure 13 is a column chart the chlamydia detection rate per 100,000 female residents aged 15 to 24 years old by UTLA in the South West. Yellow bars represent 95% confidence intervals. The overall regional and national rates are represented by the orange and blue lines respectively. This population group is proactively offered screening for chlamydia through the NCSP, so rates in this figure may be affected by sub-regional differences in NCSP implementation and uptake.

Unlike the overall chlamydia detection rate, the rate in the NCSP target group in the South West (1,436) was similar to that of England (1,589). Most UTLAs in the South West had a detection rate that was lower or statistically indistinguishable from the national rate, with the exception of Torbay (2,312). Within the South West, Torbay has had the highest chlamydia detection rate in the NCSP target population for the preceding three years.

Compared to 2023 data, detection rates fell in all local authorities except North Somerset (+2.5%) and South Gloucestershire (+2.7%), with the largest decreases observed in Devon (−36.4%), Torbay (−36.0%) and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (−33.7%).

Figure 14: Rate of gonorrhoea diagnoses per 100,000 population by upper tier local authority of residence, South West, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD

Figure 14 displays the 2024 rates of gonorrhoea diagnoses per 100,000 residents in the South West by UTLA. Yellow bars represent 95% confidence intervals. The overall regional and national rates are represented by the orange and blue lines respectively.

The highest rate was observed in Bristol (143), which was significantly above the national average (124). Plymouth (119) and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (102) also had high rates compared to other UTLAs in the region. Whilst rates in these UTLAs are higher relative to others, gonorrhoea diagnosis rates dropped in these UTLAs compared to the previous year.

The rate in Swindon increased between 2023 and 2024 (70 to 87) and is also above the regional average. Gonorrhoea diagnoses rates were lowest in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (36) and Dorset (41), with both lower than the preceding year.

Figure 15: STI testing rate (excluding chlamydia in under 25 year olds [Note 6]) per 100,000 residents, England and the South West, 2012 to 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Note 6: Chlamydia diagnoses in the target group of the NCSP (those aged 15 to 24 years) are excluded because these diagnoses could reflect how NCSP is implemented locally rather than actual prevalence.

Figure 15 is a line chart showing the trends in STI testing rates in England and the South West from 2012 to 2024 per 100,000 residents. Chlamydia tests in individuals aged under 25, who are targeted by the NCSP, have been excluded from this figure.

Within the last ten years, the trend in the annual STI testing rate in the South West has been similar to that of England’s. There was a reduction in testing in 2020, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but since then testing rates in both the South West and England have increased to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

In 2024, testing rates dropped slightly in the South West and England compared to 2023, although remain higher than any other year. The testing rate in the South West remains lower than England’s.

Figure 16: STI testing positivity rate (excluding chlamydia in under 25 year olds [note 7]) in South West residents, 2012 to 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

Note 7: Chlamydia diagnoses in the target group of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme NCSP (those aged 15 to 24 years) are excluded because these diagnoses could reflect how NCSP is implemented locally rather than actual prevalence.

Figure 16 is a line chart showing trends in STI test positivity from 2012 to 2024, represented as a proportion of tests that were positive, for England and the South West. As with the previous chart, chlamydia tests in individuals aged under 25, who are targeted by the NCSP, have been excluded.

The test positivity rate has decreased in 2024, both in the South West and England. The positivity rate for the South West in 2024, at 4.4%, is similar to that of 2020 (4.3%).

Table 4: Number of diagnoses of new STIs by UKHSA region of residence, data source and data subset 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

UKHSA region of residence	GUMCAD specialist SHSs	GUMCAD non-specialist SHSs [note 8]	CTAD [note 9]	Total
East Midlands	13,865	5,900	4,244	24,009
East of England	17,674	2,317	6,551	26,542
London	87,381	11,044	23,995	122,420
North East	10,121	1,722	3,004	14,847
North West	33,672	4,248	9,175	47,095
South East	29,777	2,455	8,472	40,704
South West	17,434	2,856	4,797	25,087
West Midlands	19,125	4,566	3,618	27,309
Yorkshire and Humber	20,263	1,671	6,339	28,273

Note 8: Diagnoses from enhanced GPs reporting to GUMCAD are included in the ‘Non-specialist sexual health services (SHSs)’ total.

Note 9: Including site type 12 (internet sexual health services) chlamydia from GUMCAD.

Table 4 summarises the number of new STI diagnoses by data source and data subset in 2024, for each UKHSA region of residence.

Out of 25,087 new STI diagnoses in the South West, one-fifth (19%) were reported through CTAD. Of the remainder reported through GUMCAD (20,290 diagnoses), 86% were from specialist sexual health services and 14% were from non-specialist sexual health services.

In the South West in 2024, 69% of all new STI diagnoses were reported by specialist SHSs through GUMCAD. The value in other regions ranged from 58% (East Midlands) to 73% (South East).

Table 5: Number of diagnoses of the 5 main STIs in the South West by STI, data source and data subset, 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD

5 main STIs	GUMCAD specialist SHSs	GUMCAD non-specialist SHSs [note 8]	CTAD  [note 9]	Total
Chlamydia	5,866	1,906	4,797	12,569
Genital Herpes	2,230	13	-	2,243
Genital Warts	1,968	7	-	1,975
Gonorrhoea	2,879	885	-	3,764
Syphilis	405	0	-	405

Note 8: Diagnoses from enhanced GPs reporting to GUMCAD are included in the ‘Non-specialist sexual health services (SHSs)’ total.

Note 9: Including site type 12 (internet sexual health services) chlamydia from GUMCAD.

Table 5 compares the number of diagnoses and data source and subset for the 5 most common STIs for the South West in 2024. CTAD only collects information on diagnoses of chlamydia, so that is the only STI entry in the relevant column.

CTAD accounted for 38% of all chlamydia diagnoses, whilst a higher proportion (47%) were reported by specialist SHSs through GUMCAD.

All or almost all genital herpes, genital warts and syphilis diagnoses were reported by specialist SHSs through GUMCAD. In comparison, a quarter (24%) of gonorrhoea diagnoses were reported through non-specialist SHSs. This reflects the fact that diagnoses from non-specialist SHSs largely originate from online screening services that include gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing. Online screening kits do not routinely test for genital herpes and genital warts, and syphilis is largely diagnosed after symptomatic presentation.

Figure 17: Consultations by service medium, South West residents, 2020 to 2024

Data sources: GUMCAD

Figure 17 is a column chart showing counts of sexual health consultations by service medium for South West residents, for 2020 to 2024.

In total, there were similar numbers of consultations in 2024 compared to 2023 (342,649 vs. 346,675, −1.2%). However, in 2024 there were 6.8% more face-to-face consultations in compared to 2023, with 8.5% fewer online and 9.7% fewer by telephone.

The number of telephone and online consultations increased substantially between 2020 and 2021, likely due to limited availability of face-to-face appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information on data sources

Find more information on local sexual health data sources in the UKHSA guide.

The gender and age group chart is restricted to those aged 15 to 64 years as information about STIs in those aged under 15 years is considered highly sensitive. Analyses specific to this group are not provided in routine outputs. Rates for those aged 65 or older are withheld to ensure that no deductive disclosure is possible for the under 15 years age group. The proportion of STIs in those aged under 15 years or older than 64 years is very low.

GUMCAD surveillance system

This disaggregate reporting system collects information about attendances and diagnoses at specialist (Level 3) and non-specialist (Level 2) sexual health services. Information about the patient’s area of residence is collected along with demographic data and other variables. GUMCAD superseded the earlier KC60 system and can provide data from 2009 onwards. GUMCAD is the main source of data for this report.

Due to limits on how much personally identifiable information sexual health clinics are able to share, it is not possible to deduplicate between different clinics. There is a possibility that some patients may be counted more than once if they are diagnosed with the same infection (for infection specific analyses) or a new STI of any type (for new STI analyses) at different clinics during the same calendar year.

CTAD surveillance system

CTAD collects data on all NHS and local authority or NHS-commissioned chlamydia testing carried out in England. CTAD is comprised of all chlamydia (NAATs) tests for all ages (with the exception of conjunctival samples), from all venues and for all reasons. CTAD enables unified, comprehensive reporting of all chlamydia data, to effectively monitor the impact of the NCSP through estimation of the coverage of population screening, proportion of all tests that are positive and detection rates.

For services which report to GUMCAD and for which CTAD does not receive data on the patient’s area of residence (for example, SHSs), information about chlamydia diagnoses is sourced from GUMCAD data.

CTAD does not collect information about sexual orientation or country of birth. Reports from CTAD are excluded from figures in this report which relate to analyses by sexual orientation or world region of birth.

New STIs

New STI diagnoses comprise diagnoses of the following: chancroid, LGV, donovanosis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes (first episode), HIV (acute and AIDS defining), Molluscum contagiosum, non-specific genital infection (NSGI), non-specific pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and epididymitis, chlamydial PID and epididymitis (presented in chlamydia total), gonococcal PID and epididymitis (presented in gonorrhoea total), scabies, pediculosis pubis, syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent), trichomoniasis and genital warts (first episode), Mycoplasma genitalium, shigella.

Calculations

Confidence Intervals were calculated using Byar’s method for numerators >= 10. For small numerators Byar’s method is less accurate and so an exact method based on the Poisson distribution is used.

ONS mid-year population estimates for 2023 were used as a denominator for rates (other than by ethnic group) for 2024. ONS estimates of population by ethnic group for the year 2019 were used as a denominator for rates by ethnic group for 2024. This is the first time that new estimates of population by ethnic group have been available since 2011. This must be considered if comparing rates for 2024 in this report with rates by 2023 in last year’s report, as the rates in the last report used the 2011 estimates.

Further information

As of 2020, all analyses for this report include data from non-specialist (Level 2) SHSs and enhanced GP services as well as specialist (Level 3) SHSs.

For further information, access the online Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles.

For more information on HIV data, see the separate HIV Spotlight report.

For more information on local sexual health data sources, see the UKHSA guide.

Local authorities have access to The Summary Profile of Local Authority Sexual Health (SPLASH) Reports (accessible from the Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles) and the SPLASH supplement reports via the HIV and STI Data exchange.

About the Field Services

The Field Services was established in 2018 as a national service comprising geographically dispersed multi-disciplinary teams integrating expertise in Field Epidemiology, Real-time Syndromic Surveillance and Public Health Microbiology to strengthen the surveillance, intelligence and response functions of UKHSA.

You can contact your local FS team at FES.SouthWest@ukhsa.gov.uk.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following:

• local SHSs for supplying the SHS data
• local laboratories for supplying the CTAD data
• UKHSA Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV Division for collection, analysis and distribution of data

References

1. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. ‘Chlamydia detection rate per 100,000 aged 15 to 24 years (Female)’ Public Health Profiles (viewed on 19 January 2026)
2. UK Health Security Agency. ‘Table 7: new STI diagnosis numbers and rates in England and Regions by ethnic group and world region of birth, 2015 to 2024.’ 2024-Table-7-STI-diagnoses-and-rates-by-ethnic-group-and-world-region-of-birth.ods (viewed on 19 January 2026)