BASHH

Competencies for providing more specialised sexually transmitted infection services within Primary Care
Two complimentary documents have been produced:

• Competencies paper (Sept 2005)
  This paper sets out the range of competencies in skills, knowledge and attitudes required to deliver more specialised sexual health services for managing sexually transmitted infection within primary care. These competencies are transferable to any primary care setting to improve quality in managing STIs.
• Assessment Toolkit (Sept 2006)
  This is a toolkit for assessing the range of competencies in skills, knowledge and attitudes required to manage sexually transmitted infections (STIs), when delivering more specialised sexual health services within primary care. The toolkit is transferable to any primary care setting and supports quality improvement in managing STIs. PCTs commissioning STI services from primary care providers might wish to use this toolkit to ensure clinicians have the relevant skills and competence to deliver the service. Clinicians should ensure they are skilled and competent in the key areas mentioned. The toolkit can also be used as a guide for audit and appraisals.

Guidelines for managing STIs in General Practice (March 2006)
These guidelines were written on behalf of BASHH and the RCGP.

Primary Care Testing Guidelines (December 2004):
These testing guidelines are out for consultation until 28th February 2005. Constructive feedback welcome. There will be some modified guidelines for primary care based on BASHH CEG guidelines to give further information about organisms and diseases to complement this brief testing guide.

The BASHH CEG guidelines which provide more evidence based guidance on management and are available here on this website.

Standards for the Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections January 2010

Standards for the Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) have been developed with the aim of supporting both sexual health service providers and commissioners in achieving safe high quality services for the management of STIs. They complement the forthcoming Sexual Health Commissioning Framework and Toolkit to be published online by the Department of Health.

They cover all aspects of the management of STIs including the diagnosis and treatment of individuals and the broader public health role of infection control. They have been written with the support and guidance of stakeholder organisations.

There are nine standards covering both clinical and commissioning issues and providing a framework for monitoring performance. Each one contains recommendations supported by a rationale, outcome-focussed implications for commissioning, key performance indicators, references and a list of further relevant supporting documents and guidance.