RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Inequalities in access to genitourinary medicine clinics in the UK: results from a mystery shopper survey JF Sexually Transmitted Infections JO Sex Transm Infect FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP sextrans-2016-052882 DO 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052882 A1 Elizabeth Foley A1 Martina Furegato A1 Gwenda Hughes A1 Christopher Board A1 Vanessa Hayden A1 Timothy Prescott A1 Eleanor Shone A1 Rajul Patel YR 2017 UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/early/2017/03/15/sextrans-2016-052882.abstract AB Study design This study investigated whether access to genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics meets UK-recommended standards.Methods In January 2014 and 2015, postal questionnaires about appointment and service characteristics were sent to lead clinicians of UK GUM clinics. In February 2014 and 2015, researchers posing as symptomatic and asymptomatic ‘patients’ contacted clinics by telephone, requesting to be seen. Clinic and patient characteristics associated with the offer of an appointment within 48 hours were examined using unadjusted and UK country and patient gender adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses. In March 2015, a convenience sample (one in four) of clinics was visited by researchers with the same clinical symptoms. Ability to achieve a same-day consultation and waiting time were assessed.Results In 2015, 90.8% of clinics offered symptomatic ‘patients’ an appointment within 48 hours when contacted by telephone, compared with 95.5% in 2014 (aOR=0.46 (0.26 to 0.83); p<0.01). The decline was greatest in women (96.0% to 90.1%; p<0.05), and clinics in England (96.2% to 90.7%; p<0.01). For asymptomatic patients, the proportion offered an appointment within 48 hours increased from 50.7% in 2014 to 74.5% in 2015 (aOR=3.06 (2.23 to 4.22); p<0.001), and in both men (58.2% to 90.8%; p<0.001) and women (49.0% to 59.6%; p<0.01). In adjusted analysis, asymptomatic women were significantly less likely to be offered an appointment than asymptomatic men (aOR=0.33 (0.23 to 0.45); p value<0.001). 95% of clinics were able to see symptomatic patients attending in person.Conclusions Access to GUM services has worsened for those with symptoms suggestive of an acute STI and is significantly poorer for asymptomatic women. This evidence may support the reintroduction of process targets.