HIV and STD

Programme overview

MEDFASH is working with Public Health England (PHE), the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and the British HIV Association (BHIVA) to conduct a one-year feasibility project exploring and evaluating the design of a future national clinical audit of healthcare for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.

This one-year feasibility study was funded by NHSE, commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, and ran from March 2015 – March 2016. It was delivered by MEDFASH (Medical Foundation for HIV & Sexual Health), in partnership with BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV), BHIVA (British HIV Association) and Public Health England.

The feasibility study report was very well received by the review panel comprising the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, and members of the National Advisory Group for Clinical Audits and Enquiries (NAGCAE). They felt that the study was well-designed and executed and the outcome captured in an excellent report which makes a strong case for a future national clinical audit.

The next phase of this work would be developing and delivering the audit with full national coverage. This roll-out is unfortunately currently outside of the funding remit for NHS England’s National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme, but active discussions are underway between NHS England and other healthcare / public health organisations with a view to trying to identify a source of future funding.