Council Backing HIV Testing Week & World AIDS Day

November 27, 2014 by Mike

Council Backing HIV Testing Week & World AIDS Day

Thursday 27th November 2014

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is encouraging local people to take advantage of free HIV testing ahead of World AIDS day on Monday 1stDecember.

The tests are being promoted jointly by Southend Hospital, South Essex Partnership Trust, the Terrence Higgins Trust and HIV Prevention England and will be available at the Sexual Health Clinic at Southend Hospital and the Kingsley Ward Centre Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services, Southchurch Road, Southend. The campaign is part of National HIV Testing Week which runs from 22-30 November.

The aim of National HIV Testing Week is to reach those groups most at risk of HIV and share the message that people should be aware of their HIV status. To raise awareness about HIV testing and encourage people to find out more, a number of events are taking place in Southend.

An HIV testing promotion stand will be at The Forum all day on Thursday 27th November, and on World AIDS day (Monday 1st December) there will be HIV awareness stands and fundraising for World AIDS day taking place at The Forum, The Victoria Shopping Centre and the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue.

Cllr Ian Gilbert, Executive Councillor for Community Development, says: “This campaign and World AIDS day are vital campaigns to increase awareness and uptake of HIV testing. Early diagnosis is important because the earlier people are diagnosed and have access to effective treatment, the better chances they have of improving their health and leading a long and healthy life. The risk of infecting others is also much lower. “The Council is happy to support this campaign and work with our partners to help promote it.”

Photographers can attend The Forum until 5pm today and the events happening on World AIDS day on Monday 1st December.

Background information:

In 2013, 305 people (aged 15-59) were accessing HIV related care in Southend-on-Sea. The estimated prevalence of HIV in 2013 in Southend-on-Sea was 2.99 per 1,000 population. In 2011-2013, in Southend-on-Sea, 49% of HIV diagnoses were made at a late stage of infection, this compares to 42% for the UK.

If you think you may be at risk, call Southend Hospital’s Sexual Health Clinic:

Southend Hospital Sexual Health Clinic
Male clinic: 01702 385120
Female clinic: 01702 385121

Or the South Essex Partnership Trust Kingsley Ward Centre Contraceptive and Sexual Health Service: 01702 456860 or visit: www.thekwc.nhs.uk

The Southend Hospital Sexual Health Service and the Kingsley Ward Centre Contraceptive and Sexual Health Service both provide HIV testing services as well as testing for other Sexually Transmitted Infections. Southend Hospital provides a same day testing and results service Mondays to Wednesday.