Since 2011, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has offered a rapid HIV testing service at The Brighton Sauna.
THE WEEKLY drop-in takes place every Wednesday evening from 6–8pm, and uses finger-prick blood tests to offer results within 20 minutes. The service, which is free and confidential, is predominantly for sauna users, but the sauna will also allow free entry to men who just want access for a test.
Terrence Higgins Trust’s (THT) fully-trained staff provide men with information and support before and after the test, and anyone who receives a reactive result is referred straight away to a specialist clinic for further testing. The charity also provides free condoms, along with information and advice on sexual health.
When the service was first launched, THT worked closely with sauna users and management to develop a service that people wanted; a fast and confidential service in a non-clinical setting. Since then, over 620 HIV tests have been taken at the sauna, and feedback is consistently positive.
The service also now offers self-administered swabs to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. From January this year a new, three-month pilot initiative offering rapid Hepatitis C tests has been running at the sauna, which is already proving popular. This is particular useful for men living with HIV, as this is a group at particular risk of Hepatitis.
THT’s Ross Boseley said: “We know most gay men in Brighton & Hove are aware of the benefits of regular testing. Some men may not want to visit a traditional sexual health clinic for whatever reason, but it is vital they know their HIV status.
“Advances in testing mean we can now bring our testing services to the places men are; we don’t have to wait for them to come to us. We’re very grateful to The Brighton Sauna for continuing to partner with us, and hope it will encourage more men to come forward for testing.”
THT also runs a daily, rapid HIV testing service from its Brighton centre at 61 Ship Street, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1AE. The service is available Monday to Friday from 10am–5pm.
For further information on HIV Testing Services in Brighton & Hove, contact:
Ross Boseley on 01273 764200
Or email:
Brighton Sauna is at 75 Grand Parade, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 9JA
For more information about Brighton Sauna, click here:
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