Assessing the time service users are prepared to wait for chlamydia and gonorrhoea (CT/GC) near-patient/point-of-care test (NP-POCT) results and to determine possible effect on management.

Individuals attending two UK clinics from November 2013 to February 2014 were surveyed asking the maximum time they would wait for CT/GC NP-POCT results after consultation. Linked CT/GC prevalence and treatment rates were analysed.

A total of 1817 participants were surveyed, and 1356 provided CT/GC NAAT samples in which it was found that 115 (8.5%) could wait over 90 min in clinic for their result, 115 received treatment at consultation, of whom 50 were CT/GC negative, and of whom 12 were treated for urethritis or cervicitis and 38 attended as CT/GC contacts. Six of this population would have waited over 90 min were NP-POCTs available. A total of 129 tested CT/GC positive, of whom 65 were treated at their consultation, 61 at a later date, and 3 were untreated. Also 12 pf 129 would wait over 90 min for a NP-POCT result.

It is concluded that 90-min NP-POCTs are not acceptable to most clinic attendees and would not have impacted on treatment rates or inappropriate prescribing, and 20-min NP-POCTs show a marginal benefit in treating CT/GC. While NP-POCTs for CT/GC are promising, they must meet client expectations and enhance disease management to be accepted by patients and clinicians.