Lay summary
Sexual health guidelines recommend that partner notification (tracking and treating the sexual contacts of those diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, STIs) and rescreening 3 months post-treatment be routinely undertaken. Most primary care clinicians rely on index patients to inform their partner(s) about possible infection with no further follow-up on outcomes. Changes are needed within primary care to facilitate these important processes to reduce re-infection, interrupt transmission and the health consequences of untreated STIs. This feasibility study involves a survey of GPs/practice nurses, analysis of laboratory data and an audit at Wellington Sexual Health Service to inform the design of an RCT (outcome measures, sample size, duration). The primary care-based RCT would compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of partner notification and rescreening when delivered by a practice nurse or sexual health advisor. This study sets the scene for reductions in the incidence, prevalence and adverse health consequences of STIs in New Zealand.