• GUM services
• service delivery
• users

Nine years after the publication of the English national strategy for sexual health and HIV1 a universally endorsed set of standards for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (see article on page 80)2 has been published in the UK. During the intervening 9 years much has been achieved, but the commissioned review of the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health of 20083 indicated areas where much remained unresolved. This, despite an increased focus on STI services driven by sustained increases in STI rates and the Department of Health (DH) initiative to improve access with the introduction of the 48 h access target.4 This target has largely been achieved through investment and service modernisation. More recently, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme has extended STI screening into non-specialist services, and the government's choice agenda5 has encouraged independent and non-statutory delivery of services.

It is therefore apposite that a set of common standards for the management of STIs is published in the UK. The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) working with the Medical Foundation …