Introduction Post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure (PEPSE) to HIV is an established method of reducing HIV transmission.

Aims Review of the provision of PEPSE in North-West England against BASHH national auditable standards.

Methods Retrospective case note review of patients attending 15 genitourinary medicine clinics in the North-West England for PEPSE between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2013. A maximum of 30 cases per centre were reviewed.

Results Of 203 cases reviewed 140 (67.0%) were male, of whom 118 were MSM. Mean age was 31.5 years (range 15–75 years); 168 (82.8%) were White British. HIV testing within 5 days of PEPSE initiation was recorded for 185 (91.1%). Genitourinary departments starting PEPSE provided HIV testing for 103/112 (92.0%) at baseline. Other departments starting PEPSE tested 10/91 (11.0%). PEPSE was initiated for recommended indications in 187 cases (92.1%) and 185 (91.1%) were started within 72 h of exposure. Twenty-eight days of PEPSE was completed by 123 (60.6%); 21 (10.3%) discontinued early; 59 (29.1%) did not have their treatment duration documented. STI screening was documented and accepted by 163 (80.3%). A total of 98 (48.3%) were HIV tested at 12 weeks post-PEPSE; all were negative. For those documented as completing PEPSE 76/123 (61.8%) were HIV tested at 12 weeks post-PEPSE. At 6 months post-PEPSE 3 patients tested HIV-positive.

Conclusion PEPSE provision in the North-West met recommended standards for treatment initiation. However standards for PEPSE completion follow up and STI testing were not met. Documentation during follow up significantly impaired results and needs improvement.