British Co-operative Clinical Group (BCCG)
The British Co-operative Clinical Group (BCCG) was established in 1951 “for the immediate purpose of collecting information concerning the venereal diseases from case records available in this country” (British Journal of Venereal Diseases 1952; 28: 101). Subsequently the wider range of clinical presentations has been accompanied by a change in name and role of clinics in the specialty and, as a consequence, a wider range of interest for the BCCG.
The group conducts studies involving all the Genito-urinary Medicine clinics in the UK. Studies are co-ordinated by the Honorary Secretary through a network of regional representatives all of whom are consultants in Genito-urinary Medicine. Epidemiologists from the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) belong to the BCCG and bring their expertise to the design and analysis of various studies. In recent years the group has collaborated with other organisations on some research projects.
Recently completed studies involving the BCCG
- Pelvic inflammatory Disease Study conducted by PHLS. Lead Dr Ian Simms. Paper submitted to STIs
- Clinical Practice in Genito Urinary Medicine Clinics in the UK. BCCG study led by Dr C Carne (Chairman). Paper accepted for publication by STIs.
- Bacterial Vaginosis Study conducted by the Bacterial Special Interest Group. Lead by Dr F Keane. This was presented at January 2003 MSSVD.
The BCCG current projects are:
- Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Syphilis in Genito Urinary Medicine Clinics in the United Kingdom – led by Dr Karen Rogstad
- Chlamydia Testing Practices in GUM Clinics – led by Dr Patrick Horner. This survey will be circulated in the latter part of 2003.
- GUM/HIV Services for Persons with Insecure Immigration or Seeking Asylum in the United Kingdom.
Proposals for new projects
Any proposals for surveys suitable for the BCCG to undertake would be welcome on the website.
Recent publications
- British Co-operative Clinical Group. Genitourinary physicians and vulval clinics: a UK survey. Int J STD AIDS 1999; 10: 220-23
- British Co-operative Clinical Group. Screening for HIV infection in genitourinary medicine clinics: a lost opportunity? Sex Transm Inf 2000; 76: 307-10*
- Connor N , Roberts J, Nicoll A. Strategic options for antenatal screening for syphilis in the United Kingdom: a cost effectiveness analysis. J Med Screen 2000; 7: 7-13
- Wilson JD, Parsons W, on behalf of the British Co-operative Clinical Group. Cervical cytology smears in sexually transmitted infection clinics in the United Kingdom. Sex Transm Inf 2001; 77: 107-110
- Williams O, Foster G, Robinson A, on behalf of the British Co-operative Clinical Group. Screening for sexually transmitted infections in children and adolescents in the United Kingdom. Int J STD AIDS 2001; 12: 487-492
- Luzzi GA, Bignall C, Mandal D, Maw RD, on behalf of the British Co-operative Clinical Group of the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: national survey of genito-urinary medicine clinics. Int J STD AIDS 2002; 13: 416-419
- Giele CM, Maw R, Carne CA, Evans BG, on behalf of the British Co-operative Clinical Group of the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases. Post-exposure prophylaxis for non-occupational exposure to HIV: current clinical practice and opinions in the UK. Sex Transm Inf 2002; 78 (2): 130-132
- Ross J, Maw R on behalf of the British Co-operative Clinical Group of the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases. How is gonorrhoea treated in genitourinary medicine clinics in the UK? Int J STD AIDS 2002; 13: 499-500
Current Membership of BCCG
A B Alawattegama, M Browning, C A Carne (Chairman), G Crowe, A M De Ruiter, W W Dinsmore, S Edwards, K Fenton, M Huengsberg, G Hughes, P Kell, G R Kinghorn, D Mandal, R D Maw (Honorary Secretary), A McMillan, D Mercey, E Monteiro, A T Nayagam, A Opaneye, S Rajamanoharan, K Rogstad, D Rowen, M Shahmanesh, C Skinner, I Weller, J Willcox.