A FIFTH of young people in Wirral are having the test for the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia.
Health bosses from NHS Wirral said their screening programme was a massive success, exceeding last year’s targets and expectations.
NHS Wirral was challenged by the Department of Health to screen 17% of local people aged 15-24 between April, 2008, and March, 2009 – more than 7,000 annual tests.
But this target was surpassed, reaching 21.1 % of young people in Wirral, resulting in 8,322 young people being screened.
Judy Fairbairn, NHS Wirral Chlamydia programme coordinator, said: “To not only reach the target but exceed it is fantastic and down to the hard work of all our staff, and to those out in the community who ensure young people can access testing easily and confidentiality.”
Chlamydia is a sexually-transmitted disease that often shows no symptoms, so people may be unaware they have it.
Medics say it is important for both males and females to have the test because if left untreated chlamydia can lead to fertility problems in future life.
