Syphilis: UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Response Plan
Addressing the increase in syphilis in England.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The previous Syphilis: Action Plan (June 2019) was published by Public Health England (PHE).
The UKHSA Syphilis Response Plan sets out our organisational response to syphilis to limit adverse health outcomes, reduce the incidence and address inequalities associated with syphilis. The plan is aimed at those involved in syphilis control across public health:
- clinicians in both sexual health services (SHSs) and other NHS services
- public health specialists
- specialty societies
- commissioners of specialist SHSs
- academia
- voluntary and community sector
To halt the rise in syphilis cases, we have identified areas for action across 4 interconnected pillars. These are:
- Pillar 1. Prevent: Reduce transmission, reduce inequalities, increase awareness
- Pillar 2. Test: Optimise testing and reduce missed opportunities for diagnosis
- Pillar 3. Treat: Optimise care pathways
- Pillar 4. Eliminate: Congenital syphilis
An update on the epidemiology of syphilis is available in the Tracking the syphilis epidemic in England report.
Updates to this page
-
Added Syphilis Response Plan 2026.
-
Added link to new 'Tracking the syphilis epidemic in England' report.
-
First published.