National HIV Testing Week Launches in Reading with Free HIV Testing
NATIONAL HIV Testing Week launches across Reading next week (19 November) with a focus on reducing late diagnosis of HIV with free, fast and confidential testing available locally.
The team at Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS), in partnership with Reading Borough Council and the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, are now urging local residents to get involved and get tested.
Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Reading’s Lead Member for Health, said: “HIV Testing Week is a sobering reminder that people should not be complacent about this issue. The sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner appropriate care can begin. With early diagnosis treatment is extremely effective.”
People whose HIV infection is diagnosed late will have a much weaker immune system, meaning they are more susceptible to suffering from other health complications as a result. Those with an undiagnosed HIV infection are at greater risk of passing the virus on through unprotected sex.
Cllr Hoskin added: “The key message is early testing saves lives. By commissioning and delivering HIV testing services, and raising awareness of the importance of HIV testing, the Council hopes to significantly reduce the number of late diagnoses. I would urge anyone who thinks they may have been at risk in the past to access the discreet testing services available as soon as possible. People can access free, confidential help and advice from the new Safe Sex Berkshire website www.safesexberkshire.nhs.uk”
The Safe Sex Berkshire website www.safesexberkshire.nhs.uk offers advice, support and accessible information. It covers sexual and reproductive health in Berkshire, providing information and advice, locations and opening times of local services all in one place.
TVPS is raising awareness about HIV and HIV testing throughout Berkshire and offering free, rapid HIV testing in the day time and evenings for National HIV Testing Week in Reading.
Sarah Macadam, CEO at TVPS, said: “We’ve tried to make testing for HIV easier than ever, with same day bookings and appointments in both day times and evenings. If you’re not confident enough to call, you can book via e-mail.
“Testing for HIV is essential to looking after your health. Effective treatment means that testing positive is not a death sentence and in fact you can live as long as anyone else. Treatment also means that when the HIV virus in your blood is reduced to a level that cannot be detected, you cannot pass on HIV. Get involved and get tested this National HIV Testing Week.”
People can get a free HIV test in a number of ways:
- By going to a local sexual health clinic, such as the Florey Unit www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/sexualhealth.htm You can find other clinics at www.safesexberkshire.nhs.uk/local-services/all-clinics Clinics are free, confidential, non-judgmental and very used to helping people with sexual health issues regardless of age gender or sexuality.
- By asking their GP for an HIV test – nowadays there is no need for lengthy discussion about the test, it just involves a simple blood test.
- Pop along to one of the clinics or request a test from Thames Valley Positive Support. For more information about booking an HIV test, email test@tvps.org.uk or call 01628 603400 or visit www.timetotest.org.uk
- By requesting a free HIV self-test kit online from: www.safesexberkshire.nhs.uk/sexual-health-matters/order-hiv-test-kit (Available for Reading residents between 7th November 2016 until 7th January 2017).
National HIV Testing Week, which starts on 19th November, is run by Terrence Higgins Trust on behalf of HIV Prevention England. The week encourages people to take a painless, simple and quick test, particularly those most at-risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men and black African people.
For more information about National HIV Testing Week, go to:
www.startswithme.org.uk
