National Chlamydia Screening Programme

If you are 15 - 24 years of age and live in the UK you will be eligible to participate in the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP).

The NCSP recommends that everybody within the age criteria is tested regularly for chlamydia, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK amongst young people. Did you know in Wirral 1 in 10 tested are found to have chlamydia.

Chlamydia screening

You can either take a urine test or a self-taken swab (women only). You will be offered this even though you may not be experiencing symptoms of an STI.

Chlamydia often has no symptoms so you do not always know you have it - yet it’s so easily passed on through sex, including oral sex. Many people we test and find positive have no idea they have been at risk, so regular testing is key for your sexual wellbeing.

If you’re 15 - 24 years of age you may be offered chlamydia screenings at various places - not necessarily just a clinic or GP Practice. We often provide screenings in schools & colleges, some pharmacies, many clinics and even community events. Occasionally, we also take screening projects into bars, pubs and clubs so we are able to reach young people who may think they don’t need screening. Anybody who has ever had unprotected sex needs to be screened, as you cannot be sure. In Wirral we find 1 in 10 young people screened have chlamydia.

Visit our chlamydia page for more information or we can send you out a free easy to use NHS postal testing kit to your address. All you need to do is complete our online form. It’s that simple.

If you are under 16 years of age you can still be tested for chlamydia, but we always recommend you pop into one of our young people’s clinics. This is so we can have a chat with you about other sexual health issues like contraception and your safety. For details of young people’s clinics view our clinic timetable.