Connecting withSexual Health

The Sexual Health team from Newcastle Primary Care Trust has won a prestigious ‘Nursing in Practice’ award for its ‘HIV FASTEST’ project, an innovative community service that provides HIV results in one hour.

Staffed by experienced sexual health professionals, the service encourages gay and bisexual men to take a free, confidential HIV test. No appointments are necessary at the city centre ‘drop in’ facility and results are available in 20 minutes, eliminating the worrying wait. HIV positives are immediately referred to GUM services and specialist counselling and support is provided by partner organizations.

Undiagnosed HIV continues to represent a major public health issue and Kathryn Kain, senior health advisor for Newcastle Primary Care Trust’s GUM department explained how HIV FASTEST helps to address the problem.

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