Guidance

Syphilis: Public Health England action plan

Addressing the increase in syphilis in England.

• From: Public Health England
• Published: 4 June 2019
• Last updated: 3 February 2021 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Syphilis: PHE action plan

Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-458

PDF, 579 KB, 22 pages

Details

The Public Health England (PHE) action plan focuses on the main affected populations and is aimed at:

• clinicians
• public health specialists
• specialty societies
• commissioners of specialist sexual health services

A successful response to the current increase in syphilis incidence is dependent upon action that optimises 4 prevention pillars fundamental to syphilis control and prevention. These are:

• increase testing frequency of high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) and re-testing of syphilis cases after treatment
• deliver partner notification to British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) standards
• maintain high antenatal screening coverage and vigilance for syphilis throughout antenatal care
• sustain targeted health promotion

An update on the progress towards the Syphilis Action Plan prevention priorities is available in the Tracking the syphilis epidemic in England report.

Published 4 June 2019
Last updated 3 February 2021 + show all updates

1. 3 February 2021

   Added link to new 'Tracking the syphilis epidemic in England' report.

2. 4 June 2019

   First published.