Instant HIV tests at Superdrug
posted: 04/03/2010
Superdrug have started selling the £79 InstiTest, which gives a HIV result in just 60 seconds from a tiny fingertip blood sample. Nurses will offer the confidential HIV test in their Piccadilly central Manchester store and at other stores in Brighton, Edinburgh, Croydon, Cardiff, and Newcastle. Trials show InstiTest is 99.96 per cent accurate.
People who get a positive test result are referred to an NHS clinic for the result to be double checked and so people get to see a HIV specialist quickly. They will even make the appointment for people.
Before the test the nurse and patient discuss the process and the nurse will obtain full consent for the test. The registered nurses have had training in the use of the HIV test kit and on patient assessment, and experience in counselling in sexual health. All testing is confidential – no identification is required just to take the test and get a verbal result, though they will ask for your name and birth date. If you want a written note of the result then identity will be checked with photo ID.
Most HIV tests are free and provided at NHS sexual health clinics or in some community settings, for instance LGF run a testing service for gay and bisexual men in Manchester’s gay village. You can also ask your GP for a free HIV test. Offering HIV tests for payment in city-centre pharmacies is something new in this country.
The NAT (National Aids Trust) welcomed the new service move, saying: "If someone gets diagnosed early they can live a long, active life with HIV. But if they delay, they can become very ill and put their partners at risk too."
Superdrug, Piccadilly, Manchester 7-9 Piccadilly, opposite Piccadilly Gardens, in central Manchester, M1 1LY 0161 834 6091
The nurse / doctor is normally available to carry out HIV tests between 09.00 and 18.00 on Monday - Fridays and between 09.00 and 15.00 on Saturdays.
George House Trust comment
We are keen that people have easy access to HIV testing – but you can always have a test for free at the STI clinic, at LGF and other community services, or through your GP. Decide if you want to spend almost £80 to find out you have HIV when that would then have to be checked at the STI clinic.
Illegal Home HIV Test Kits
HIV home testing kits that give instant results are also on sale to UK consumers online - which is banned by law, according to Which? magazine. The consumer magazine has reported four websites to the Department of Health, and they are now being investigated.
Which? bought test kits from Safescreen, Labpro, and Self Tests Direct. They also tried a fourth site called Mid Pacific Medical but that test hasn’t arrived yet.
Self Tests Direct said: ‘We had no idea we weren’t supposed to sell these kits in the UK.’ It has now removed these from sale on the web.
HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust told PinkPaper.com: "Because people can't buy home testing kits legally they're buying kits on the internet - and these aren't subject to any form of UK quality control. As well as that, they don't tell you where you can go for help to cope with your result, or provide information about safer sex. More worryingly, because they aren't made to UK standards the results might not be accurate. Home testing kits can be reliable and safe but the high standards that are essential for an accurate test can only be achieved through regulation - and that won't happen when they're illegal."
Sources illegal web sales Superdrug tests Superdrug press statement
Permalink
Tell Your Living Story
posted: 01/03/2010
Terrence Higgins Trust is looking for gay men with HIV to share their stories online on their What Next? website for gay men recently diagnosed HIV positive.
The What Next? website is looking for gay men to keep an online diary, whether you’ve been diagnosed recently or living with HIV for longer. Part of the website includes videos and diaries describing men’s personal experience. Want to share yours?
What they are looking for is the story of what you’re up to and how you’re getting on in about 500 words, once a month, and they will then post this on the What Next? website for you. You will need to agree to have your photograph on the site.
If sharing your experiences online interests you, or you would like more information, please feel free to contact Stephen Adair at Terrence Higgins Trust or call him on 020 7812 1783.
Permalink
Free Computer and Internet for Children
posted: 14/01/2010
Want a grant from the government of up to £528 for a computer and internet access? Grants are now available for low income families with children living in England who don’t have access to the internet. This includes people on NASS or UK Border Agency Support.
Depending on what you need, you can get up to £528 to spend on a computer (the computer type could be a lap-top, desk-top, or net-book), and the cost of one year’s internet access.
Who can get this?
You need children in school years 3 to 9. This will normally mean children who are from 7 to 14 years old, at a state school.
It’s for families with lower incomes. This means
- if your child has free school meals OR
- you receive income support OR
- you get income-based Job Seekers Allowance OR
- you get child tax credit OR
- you get income-based Employment Support Allowance OR
- you get NASS or UK Border Agency support while claiming asylum (but not section 4 support) [It has to be ‘support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999’]
How to claim
- Ring the helpline for parents 0333 200 1004 for an application form. They will ask you some simple questions to check you can claim.
- Fill in the application form and send it with proof
- You get a decision within 3 weeks (and your proof documents returned – The decision will either be
- No, OR
- send more information, OR
- Yes
If Yes, approved, you will get
- a Notice of Entitlement
- Instructions on how to get the computer and internet
- They tell you who can supply the computer and internet package
- A Home Access Grant payment card preloaded with the money
- A PIN number (in another letter)
You then contact the supplier you choose to get the computer and internet package.
The rules are explained in more detail here
Companies offering the Home Access computer scheme
You can only get compter and internet access through companies that are part of the scheme. So far these include
How many people can get these grants?
The scheme will run for the next 18 months but there is a maximum of 270,000 grants available, one per household. We think the grants could run out quickly.
How to apply?
Call 0333 200 1004
Details at Home Access.
Please tell people who don’t have computers, who have school age children.
Permalink