Terrence Higgins Trust to offer free STI and HIV testing

Friday, 3rd October 2008

Written by Mark Collins

Lambeth Primary Care Trust has teamed up with the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) to offer free STI testing to gay and bisexual men as well as a once-a-week HIV testing service at the Vauxhall Riverside Clinic.

A walk-in clinic will operate every weekday night between 5 and 7.30pm, for the STI testing and on Tuesdays between the same hours for the HIV tests. Staff will also be available to give information as well as one-on-one advice and support as well as supplying free condoms and lube.

"We're hoping that because the Vauxhall Riverside is based in a convenient location and open in the evening, this will make it easier for men to come along. It'll take just 30 minutes or so out of their evening but might pick up an undiagnosed infection," says Kelvin Julian, Outreach and Community Engagement Manager at THT.

"A third of people living with HIV don't know they have it and many other STIs go undiagnosed because they have no symptoms." THT is the UK's biggest HIV and sexual health charity with centres across the country.

As the leading organisation of its kind, THT endeavours to promote good sexual health alongside its impartial and confidential counselling and support. The push to promote safe sexual practice comes at a time when HIV levels among gay men are at an all time high, with many actually ignoring the warnings of an epidemic.

For further information on the Riverside Clinic, please call the clinic on 020 3049 4006 or THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.

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