STI services in the United Kingdom: how shall we cope?

• Published in: Sexually transmitted infections Vol. 79; no. 6; pp. 435 - 438
• Main Authors: Bradbeer, C, Mears, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.12.2003; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Ambulatory Care - organization & administration; Appointments and Schedules; Care and treatment; Clinics; Confidentiality; Debate; Drug stores; Family Planning Services - organization & administration; Family Practice - organization & administration; Health care industry; Health Personnel - organization & administration; Health services; Hospitals; Humans; Laboratories; Management; Medical History Taking; Methods; Microscopy; Patients; Periodic health examinations; Pharmacists; Physical diagnosis; Physical Examination; Referral and Consultation; Service enhancement; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - diagnosis; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - therapy; sexually transmitted infections; STD; United Kingdom; Venereology - organization & administration; Workloads; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1368-4973; 1472-3263
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.79.6.435

If known contacts are excluded, GC, even in South London with the highest prevalence in the United Kingdom, is only found in one of 400 female clinic attenders (C Watson, Royal Sussex Hospital, Brighton, personal communication). [...]it takes 26.7 staff hours to diagnose one unexpected case of GC. A recent 3 month departmental audit has shown that 12% of our female patients are "asymptomatics" (S Day, St Thomas' Hospital, London, personal communication).\n 18 The pharmacist The pharmacist's role is changing. 19 Community pharmacists are in a unique position to help meet the needs of patients.