Sexual health provision and the Sexual Health and HIV Strategy for England: a questionnaire survey of general practitioners' views.

Abstract

An anonymous postal survey was used to assess the views of general practitioners (GPs) on the expected contents of the Department of Health National Sexual Health and HIV Strategy for England prior to release. One hundred and seventeen GPs in four London Primary Care Groups took part (response rate=50%). The majority felt they currently have about the right amount of involvement in patient care (HIV 70%: GUM 66%); 88% of GPs felt they offer general sexual health care (Level one), and most wished to continue with this (85%). However, a sizeable minority of GPs wanted to be involved in the development of care guidelines (HIV 17%; GUM 22%), and 10% considered that they might wish to offer more specialist services (Level two). To achieve a Strategy goal to integrate sexual healthcare services in England, it is likely that there will need to be local consultation and support for GPs.