Quality standard
Quality statement 6: Partner notification
Quality statement 6: Partner notification
Quality statement
People diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection are supported to notify their partners.
Rationale
Supporting people who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) to notify their partners can help to prevent reinfection and reduce the transmission of STIs. It can also ensure that their partners are tested, and if necessary treated, as soon as possible to prevent health complications.
Quality measures
The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.
Structure
a) Evidence of local arrangements for partner notification to be discussed with people diagnosed with STIs.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, service protocols. Included in the Department of Health and Social Care's Integrated sexual health services: a suggested national service specification.
b) Evidence of local arrangements for partner notification support to be provided to people diagnosed with STIs.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, service protocols and referral pathways. Included in the Department of Health and Social Care's Integrated sexual health services: a suggested national service specification.
Process
Proportion of people diagnosed with an STI who have partner notification initiated.
Numerator – the number in the denominator who have partner notification initiated.
Denominator – the number of people diagnosed with an STI.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, patient records. UK Health Security Agency's GUMCAD STI surveillance system collects data on partner notification being initiated in sexual health services.
Outcome
a) Coverage of testing for STIs: proportion of people attending the service who are tested for STIs.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, patient records. The proportion of young people screened for chlamydia and HIV testing coverage are collected as part of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities' Sexual and reproductive health profiles.
b) Number of people presenting as a partner of an index case diagnosed with an STI.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, patient records. UK Health Security Agency's GUMCAD STI surveillance system collects data on people presenting as a partner of a person identified as having an index case of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV or non-specific genital infection in sexual health services.
What the quality statement means for different audiences
Service providers (such as primary care services, genitourinary medicine clinics and community health services) ensure that processes are in place for discussions about partner notification to take place when people are diagnosed with an STI. Service providers ensure that they have clear partner notification procedures in place, including referral pathways to specialist providers, so that people can be supported to notify their partners.
Healthcare professionals (such as GPs, practice nurses and sexual health consultants) ensure they are aware of local partner notification procedures and provide support to people diagnosed with an STI to notify their partners. Partner notification may be undertaken by the healthcare professional or the person diagnosed with an STI and may require referral to a specialist service.
Commissioners (integrated care systems, clinical commissioning groups, local authorities and NHS England) ensure that they commission services that support people who are diagnosed with an STI to notify their partners. Commissioners ensure that the roles and responsibilities of different services in relation to partner notification are clear and that referral pathways are in place. Commissioners regularly monitor and review the overall effectiveness of local partner notification procedures.
People diagnosed with an STI are given encouragement and support from a healthcare professional to tell their partners about the STI. This will help partners to get tested as soon as possible and to receive treatment if they are also infected.
Source guidance
Reducing sexually transmitted infections. NICE guideline NG221 (2022), recommendations 1.3.1 to 1.3.5
Definitions of terms used in this quality statement
Support to notify their partners
Advise people diagnosed with an STI about the importance and benefits of partner notification, the possibility of sex partners being infected even if asymptomatic, and the risk of reinfection. Encourage them to engage in partner notification, regardless of where they are tested and discuss the different methods of partner notification with them.
Help people decide how to notify their sex partners. Discuss ways of having these potentially difficult conversations and suggest ways to deliver this information. Discuss the best method of partner notification in light of the person's relationship status and other circumstances. Alternative methods of disclosure may need to be used in different contexts (for example, those who may be at risk of domestic violence, or if the person expresses a need for anonymity).
There should be a clear referral pathway to specialist sexual health services that can help with partner notification so that people can be referred seamlessly and without the need for self-referral. If a person feels unable to tell their sex partners about the STI or is showing signs of difficulty dealing with their diagnosis, refer them to specialist sexual health services that can offer them more support with partner notification.
Partner notification on behalf of a person with an STI should be carried out by professionals with expertise in contact tracing and counselling. [NICE's guideline on reducing sexually transmitted infections, recommendations 1.3.1 to 1.3.5]
Equality and diversity considerations
Services to support people to notify their partners about an STI should be accessible to people with additional needs such as physical, sensory or learning disabilities, and to people who do not speak or read English, or who have reduced literacy skills. People should have access to an interpreter or advocate if needed.