Background/introduction Intimate partner violence (IPV) can be defined as controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between family members or intimate partners regardless of gender or sexuality. BASHH guidelines recommend that clinicians should enquire about IPV and provide support and referral to appropriate services.

Aim(s)/objectives To raise standards in screening for IPV within sexual health service and ensure appropriate support given to those affected.

Methods A retrospective audit of 200 patient records using local standards of 100% patients must be asked about IPV and of those who declared incidents must have documentation of action taken. Education was then delivered to staff and IPV added to our electronic clinical pro-forma. A re-audit was carried out alongside a survey of staff on the time taken, ease and screening phrases used.

Results In the initial then re-audit screening for IPV was undertaken in 98% then 100% of women; 61% then 99% of men; 1.9% then 2.5% disclosure; 100% then 40% documented offer of support, respectively. Following education 100% of staff felt comfortable assessing for IPV. Phrases used were variable and adapted to the patient and 80% of staff felt questioning was timely.

Discussion/conclusion IPV screening improved through the use of education and additional prompting on clinical pro-formas, particularly in male attendees. Screening for IPV was acceptable to staff and did not add significantly to consultation time. Enquiring whether any children were present in the household during IPV was not documented in any disclosed cases and ensuring patients are offered additional support needs further attention within our service.