Sexual Health Week: Royal Greenwich Lines Up Free HIV and Chlamydia Testing For Residents

by our RBG Correspondent | Woolwich

Free confidential HIV testing and advice on sexual health are on offer for Greenwich Sexual Health Week, as part of a campaign to encourage residents to take control of their sexual health and wellbeing.

The Royal Borough was the first local authority in the country to offer residents a home testing service online – making it easy and quick to test for sexually transmitted infections including HIV in the comfort of their homes. A growing number of residents are using the service and it is being promoted, along with a range of a range of sexual health services as part of the week, which runs until December 1 – World Aids Day.

On the day, the METRO charity will be running HIV testing and distributing World Aids Day red ribbons at the Woolwich Centre and in General Gordon Square, Woolwich, from 10am. METRO will also be running presentations, advice and information at locations across the borough.

Staff will also be offering Chlamydia screening for under 25s and free condoms.

Additionally, the STI and HIV testing clinic for Africans (at Clover Health Centre, Woolwich New Road, SE18) will be offering free advice and testing throughout the week.

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, the Royal Borough’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health, said: “We were the first borough in the country to offer home testing for STIs to residents. This initiative and the Greenwich Sexual Health week are part of our on-going commitment to improving the sexual health and wellbeing of local people.”

Dr Greg Ussher (top right), METRO’s CEO said: "Sexual health is so important to our overall health and wellbeing and we are delighted to be supporting Greenwich Sexual Health Week. We know that these weeks are effective in raising awareness and increasing uptake of what is available in the borough.”

For details of Greenwich Sexual Health Services and for further information about activities during Greenwich Sexual Health Week, please visit www.metrocentreonline.org or call 020 8305 5005.

For details of Greenwich Sexual Health Services or to order a free STI home testing kit visit www.greenwichsexualhealth.org.