Abstract
The management of cases of gonorrhoea in the Genitourinary Medicine Department (GUM) of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1999 was audited. The sensitivity of microscopy in diagnosis was 90.4% for male urethral gonorrhoea and 26.6% for female genital gonorrhoea. The sensitivity of laboratory culture was 98.5%. Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis co-infection or treating for presumed coinfection was done in 98% of cases of gonorrhoea and the rates of co-infection were 36.4% in women and 8% in men. Effective first-line therapy was given to 95.4% of cases of genital gonorrhoea. Re-attendance for tests of cure within one month of treatment was achieved in 68.2%. Discussion of partner notification was documented in 94.3% of cases of genital gonorrhoea. In 65% of cases of gonorrhoea, there was documented attendance of sexual partners. The value of a national guideline with auditable targets is discussed.