BASHH welcomes UKHSA Syphilis Response Plan

24 March 2026 (Last updated: 24 Mar 2026 15:19)

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) welcomes the publication of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Syphilis Response Plan and its clear focus on reversing the rise in syphilis diagnoses and eliminating congenital syphilis.

The Plan’s emphasis on prevention aligns closely with BASHH’s leadership in this area, including the publication of the UK’s first national guidelines on doxycycline post‑exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for syphilis prevention. These guidelines provide clinicians with clear, evidence‑informed direction on the appropriate use of targeted preventative approaches for people at increased risk.

BASHH welcomes the strong emphasis on promoting these and other key BASHH guidelines and standards of care. This is critical to supporting expert-led and informed pathways. UKHSA has also committed to further developing the evidence base in key areas. 

Sexual health services are at the forefront of prevention, testing and care, delivering targeted, evidence‑based interventions to communities most affected by syphilis and addressing persistent health inequalities. 

Dr Cara Saxon, BASHH President, said:

“This Plan rightly places sexual health services and expertise at the heart of the response to rising syphilis rates. As well as leveraging and promoting existing guidelines and standards, published by BASHH and setting out the care that should be universally accessible, UKHSA sets out priorities for building the evidence base so that we can further improve the response. We need to work together to increase effectiveness of testing strategies so that no one is left behind. 

Sustained investment in sexual health services will be essential to delivering the Plan’s ambition. This will ensure clinics can continue to provide high‑quality preventative care, particularly for communities most affected, while also supporting progress towards the elimination of congenital syphilis."

BASHH looks forward to working with UKHSA and partners to support the delivery of the Plan.