Welsh GPs join trail-blazing HIV testing campaign

A scheme offering free HIV tests for those aged 16 and over, coordinated by Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, is being launched across GP practices in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff East. People aged 16+ years, served by GP practices in these areas, should receive a text message offering a free HIV postal test kit under the ‘Texting 4 Testing’ project.

HIV testing in Wales is free, private and confidential. Those who receive a text message from their GP will be able to order a postal test kit from Sexual Health Wales online, through a link to their website. The kit will arrive in a discreet box which fits through a letterbox. Anyone who does not get a text can also order a free, confidential HIV test through Sexual Health Wales.

The Texting for Testing campaign is part of a wider effort in Wales to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 and tackle HIV-related stigma. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. HIV is a treatable condition and getting tested saves lives. The test kits for the campaign are provided by Sexual Health Wales (formerly Frisky Wales) which is part of Public Health Wales. Anyone over the age of 16 who lives in Wales can order a free HIV test kit (among other types of STI tests) from the Test & Post section of their website.

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Gian Molinu, chair of Fast Track Cardiff and Vale, said: “All sexually active adults should test for HIV - and it’s never been easier in Wales. Getting tested and treated keeps people alive and prevents the virus being passed on - so it makes sense! This scheme lets you do it in the comfort and privacy of your own home. We previously piloted this in a GP cluster in Cardiff and it was very successful. We believe this will bring us closer to achieving our goal of ending new HIV transmissions in Wales by 2030”.

For more information surrounding Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, visit their website. To get more news like this straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters here.

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