A new report by Public Health England (PHE) shows the number of annual gonorrhoea diagnoses rose 26% between 2018 and 2019 (from 56,232 to 70,936). The data outlined in the Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia in England 2019 report has prompted health officials to warn of the need to practise safe sex, including correct condom use.

This rise contributed to an overall increase of 5% in new sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses in 2019 (from 447,522 in 2018 to 468,342).

Between 2018 and 2019, increases in gonorrhoea were reported in:

• gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) from 26,864 to 33,853 (26% increase)
• heterosexual women from 14,167 to 17,826 (26% increase)
• heterosexual men from 13,036 to 15,253 (17% increase)

The rise in diagnoses of gonorrhoea is explained in part by an increase in testing, using more accurate diagnostic tests and more comprehensive data on STI diagnoses.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, National Lead for Sexually Transmitted Infection Surveillance at Public Health England, said:

“The considerable rise of gonorrhoea cases in England, as well as the continued rise of other STIs, is concerning. It is important to emphasise that STIs can pose serious consequences to health – both your own and that of current and future sexual partners.

“We have seen that gonorrhoea has become more resistant to antibiotics and expect to see further cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea in the future, which will be challenging for healthcare professionals to manage.

“The consistent and correct use of condoms with new and casual sexual partners is the best defence against all STIs. If you have had sex without a condom with a new or casual partner, you should get tested.”

Cases of syphilis have increased by 10% from 2018 with 7,982 cases being reported in 2019.

With 229,411 cases diagnosed in 2019, chlamydia increased by 5% since 2018 and remains the most commonly diagnosed STI.

In 2019, more than 1.3 million chlamydia tests were carried out in England among young people aged 15 to 24 years as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP); the NCSP provides opportunistic screening to sexually active young people aged 15 to 24 years to increase the detection of chlamydia infections. Anyone under 25 who is sexually active is advised to get tested for chlamydia on change of sexual partner or annually.

Across all STIs, the highest rates of diagnoses continue to be seen in 15- to 24-year-olds, MSM and some minority ethnic groups. This is likely due, in part, to higher rates of partner change and/or more concurrent sexual partnerships without consistent condom use, and in some MSM there is evidence of increased transmission of STIs due to ‘chemsex’.

The number of consultations at sexual health services (SHSs), in clinic settings and online, increased by 7% between 2018 and 2019 (from 3,613,447 to 3,852,121).

The rise in STIs is likely to be due to people not using condoms correctly and consistently with new and casual partners and an increase in testing, improving detection of the most common STIs.

Those at risk of STIs can still access services through sexual health clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many clinics offer online testing, which means people can order tests using clinic websites, take them in the privacy of their own home and send kits off to a laboratory for testing, and receive results via text, phone call or post.

Following a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days, a decision has been taken that Bolton and Trafford will now remain under existing restrictions.

This decision has been made in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data. We continually monitor outbreaks across the country, and have seen infection rates increase more than 3 times in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review.

We have always been clear we will take swift and decisive action where needed to contain outbreaks. We can bring the rates down if we continue to work together and I urge everyone to continue to play their part by following the rules – get tested if you have symptoms, self-isolate and practise social distancing.

Public Health England, the Joint Biosecurity Centre and NHS Test and Trace are constantly monitoring the levels of infection and other data on prevalence of the virus across the country. As has always been the case, these measures are kept under constant review.

We continue to work closely with councils, local MPs and scientific experts to keep all restrictions under constant consideration.

Restrictions in Trafford and Bolton will remain, meaning residents cannot meet people outside their bubbles either indoors in homes or in gardens.

The latest data for Bolton shows the weekly incidence rate is now at 66.6 cases per 100,000 people on 30 August.  This compares to 18.9 per 100,000 people between 17 August and 23 August. This data is subject to revision and may be revised up in future releases.

Latest data for Trafford shows weekly incidence at 36.8 cases per 100,000 people on 30 August. This compares to 17.8 per 100,000 people between 17 Aug and 23 August. This data is subject to revision and may be revised up in future releases.

Everyone must continue to play their part by following local rules, and self-isolating and requesting a free test as soon as they get any symptoms.

The lifting of restrictions in Burnley, Hyndburn, Stockport and parts of Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford will go ahead from midday today (2 September).

As part of our programme of work to protect and enhance the environment, the Coal Authority is pleased to welcome new contractors onto our latest 4-year framework to help design and build mine water treatment schemes throughout Britain.

The new framework, with a forecast value of up to £72 million, covers all major civil engineering works needed so that treatment sites can be made ready for the construction of new schemes.

The treatment schemes themselves consist of components such as reed beds, pumping equipment, settlement lagoons and cascade steps.

Elements such as mechanical, electrical and minor works can also be called off the framework for work to refurbish our existing portfolio of more than 82 mine water treatment schemes.

Carl Banton, operations director at the Coal Authority, said:

We’re committed to making a better future for people and the environment in mining areas and a key part of our environmental protection activities is treating water from historical mines to prevent pollution.

This crucial work, funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, already sees us treat 122 billion litres of water every year to improve our rivers and protect aquifers and ground waters. We’ll now see that figure increase when more new mine water treatment schemes are built.

The procurement process was extremely competitive, with us receiving interest from 60 organisations. We’ve appointed 9 suppliers from those that applied and we’re delighted to start working with the organisations that have successfully made it on to the framework.

This programme of work ultimately helps us to further protect and enhance the natural environment for our future generations and makes a positive contribution to the government’s 25 year environment plan.

The length of the mine water treatment scheme design and build framework is 4 years and covers the Coal Authority’s work in England, Scotland and Wales.

For more information about supplying goods and services to the Coal Authority, email our procurement team at procurement@coal.gov.uk.

Why we need to treat mine water from historical mines

When a coal mine closes, the pumps that were used to keep water out of the mine while the mineral was extracted are switched off and removed.

Over time the water levels recover within the mine and pick up naturally occurring minerals from the rocks, such as iron. This can coat river beds, stopping plant growth, causing wildlife to move on as they no longer have food.

This video explains how we typically treat the coal mine water:

How we treat coal mine water