Chlamydia screening in high street pharmacies across the Britain is now underway

The first step in a drive to make chlamydia screening available in high street pharmacies across the country is now underway, Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson announced today.

Independent health care providers are being asked to submit bids to pilot this new scheme in community pharmacies throughout London and Cornwall - making it easier for young men and women to use chlamydia screening services.

Successful applicants will provide free chlamydia screening for 16-24 year olds - including the partners of those who test positive - and may also be able to offer patients the choice of receiving treatment at their local pharmacy.

Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson said:

"It's vital that we make it easier for young men and women to get tested for chlamydia. By offering this service in convenient locations on the high street, it will make it easier for people to call in for a screening test - helping to speed up the detection and treatment of chlamydia cases.

"The advantage of using Independent Sector providers, such as pharmacists, is that they are already in position on the high street to provide NHS quality chlamydia testing. This means costs to the taxpayer are kept down and we won't need to draw on staff from other areas of the NHS."

The pilot will be monitored and evaluated over a two year period to test the community pharmacy setting as an alternative access point for chlamydia screening. If successful, the scheme could be rolled out nationally.

Chlamydia testing and screening is currently available in 26 areas of England under the National Chlamydia Screening Programme and is offered in a variety of healthcare and non-healthcare settings including further education colleges, armed forces bases and prisons.

David Pruce, Director of Practice and Quality Improvement at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) said: "The RPSGB welcomes the announcement by Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson for pharmacists to submit bids to pilot a new chlamydia screening service.

"Pharmacists are experts in medicines and their use, and already make a significant contribution to improving health and preventing illness. The RPSGB works to ensure pharmacists can make their full contribution to the work of the NHS at both national and local level."