Highest number of syphilis cases in West Northamptonshire since records began, figures show

Figures from the UK Health Security Agency show there were 32 syphilis diagnoses in West Northamptonshire in 2023. It was up from 28 the year before and the highest since local records began in 2012.

Meanwhile, there were 207 gonorrhoea diagnoses in West Northamptonshire in 2023 – up from 175 the year before.

In total, there were 1,677 STI diagnoses last

A spokeswoman for West Northamptonshire Council said: "32 cases of syphilis were reported in 2023, which is four more cases than the previous year. This is not of a huge concern as syphilis is easily treatable; and it is better to diagnosis this early on. We have been noticing rise in numbers since we started dual testing with HIV and increased notification from our partners, and better contact tracing.

"In 2019, the country saw the highest number of diagnosed cases since 1940, there were many factors, but main ones were increased testing, partner notification and contact tracing.

"Following the Covid pandemic there has been an increase in unsafe practices across the country and in Northamptonshire, including a reduction in using condoms, which has an implication on the rise is sexually transmitted infections which included Syphilis.

"West Northamptonshire Council Public Health continues to work with sexual health services to promote benefits of using condoms and testing and treatment of all STI to see improvement in their prevalence and better sexual health of our population."

year in West Northamptonshire – down from 1,756 the year before. Of the diagnoses last year, 941 (56 percent) were chlamydia.

Nationally, recorded cases of syphilis were at the highest level since 1948, while gonorrhoea reached the highest number since records began in 1918.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) said the "worrying trajectory" of rising diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections across England is a sign of unmet needs for those who require sexual health care

Professor Matt Phillips, president of BASHH, said: "We find ourselves at a critical point for securing the viability of sexual health services.

"The worrying trajectory of new STI diagnoses is a sign of increased unmet needs for those who require sexual health care, particularly those in minoritised communities and those who might prefer face-to-face services.

"It underlines the need for a long-awaited and much-needed strategy for sexual health."

He added the new Government has an opportunity to “change the tides” and address recruitment and funding challenges to improve access to sexual health and wellbeing expertise.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils which have responsibility for commissioning sexual health services, said the figures show the Government should implement a 10-year sexual health strategy.

Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said the figures show a year-on-year increase of STIs and demand for services.

He added the Government must commit to a national strategy and funding that "sets a clear direction for improving sexual health in England".

Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "The best way to reduce your risk of an infection is to use a condom consistently and correctly with new or casual partners."

He added: "The NHS provides free, confidential STI testing to detect any potential infections and prevent you passing them on to others."