NEWS FEED
The Department of Sexual Health at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) is collaborating with HIV Prevention England as part of a national campaign to encourage people to get tested for HIV.
The fifth annual National HIV Testing week takes place from 19-25 November and the team at RBH is offering a rapid fingerprick test where people can find out their results in just 20 minutes, as well as support for those who are worried about testing.
Dr Cordelia Chapman, consultant in sexual health at RBH, said, “Knowing your HIV status is so important as it reduces late diagnosis and prevents onward transmission. We really want to reduce the stigma associated with HIV. This year Prince Harry had a test to help promote the importance of knowing your status and it’s 13 years since HIV testing became an opt-out test for all pregnant women.
She added, “Treatment advances mean patients with HIV live a near normal life expectancy and there are now single tablets to treat the condition.”
The rapid finger-prick tests will be available from 2-6pm on Monday 21 November, from 9am-12noon on Tuesday 22 November and from 8am-12noon and 2-4pm on Wednesday 23 November.
To make an appointment, or to find out more about sexual health services at RBH, you can call 01202 704644 or log on to www.rbch.nhs.uk/sexualhealthclinics.
