Patients who present to general practice with a suspected STI expect to be offered tests, given information and a formal referral to a GUM clinic if care is not offered on site. However, a qualitative study found that these expectations were often not met and many would prefer to be treated at a GUM clinic in future. 'It is refreshing to see that the public chose to see their GP in the first instance for sexual health matters. They expected their sexual histories to be explored, genital examinations to be done, and tests for STI and HIV to be offered. It is unfortunate, however, that some of the patients did not get what they wanted from general practice. It feels to me that we as GPs sometimes create barriers so that people do not get the care they need and it doesn't just apply to sexual health. It is the old chestnut: PUNs and DENs - patients' unmet needs might be doctors' educational needs. Let's try to do something about it.'