Anne Milton MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NS

26 August 2011

Dear Anne,

I am writing to ask that Chlamydia screening for 15-24 year olds is included in the Public Health Outcomes Framework to ensure that young people continue to be tested and treated for this illness. This is important because the illness, known as the ‘silent infection', usually has no symptoms and thus can go undetected for years. One in fifteen young people tests positive for Chlamydia and, if it is not treated, the infection can develop into long-term health problems such as infertility, complications during pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease. These longer term problems are estimated to cost the NHS £100 million per year to treat.

The benefits of the existing screening programme are now starting to be seen and prove that the service should be retained. For example, for the first time in ten years, cases of sexually transmitted infections fell in 2010/11. We need to build on this progress and continue to turn the tide for sexual health. By screening and treating these infections before they develop, we will save money and lives on treatments for more serious illnesses.

I look forward to hearing you commit to including Chlamydia screening for 15-24 year olds in the Public Health Outcomes Framework.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion

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