New Sexual Health Screening Service is Piloted

12th August 2008

London: Marie Stopes International (MSI) has launched its first comprehensive Sexual Health Screening Service at its South London centre in Brixton. The facility offers men and women screening for a range of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and testing for HIV. All clients are guaranteed a quick appointment and results are either immediate or within 72 hours depending on what is being tested for. Clients can choose to receive their results by text, email, letter or phone, and follow up treatment is made available straightaway.

All clients being tested for HIV receive comprehensive pre-test counselling, and those whose results are positive are then offered seamless service provision at Kings College Hospital. Further support is offered in conjunction with the Terence Higgins Trust.

The launch of MSI’s Sexual Health Service comes at a critical time, following the release of figures by the Health Protection Agency showing that the number of STIs rose in 2007 by 6%. Half of the newly diagnosed infections were amongst 16-24 year olds with rates of chlamydia, genital warts and gonorrhoea especially high.

“Marie Stopes International is keen to play a key role in the government initiative to curb the rising number of STIs” commented Ruth Christie, Centre Manager at the South London Centre. “This is an important addition to the array of services which we offer at Marie Stopes International and we expect it will be an extremely successful direction for us.”

“Some clients have travelled from as far as Cambridge to be tested by us. Clients often wish to remain anonymous, cut down on anxious waiting time and access the appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.

“It can take up to six hours just to be seen at some NHS drop-in clinics whereas we offer specific appointment times which last from 20 minutes to one hour depending on what our clients are being tested for. In order to speed up the process even further, we are developing a 100% nurse led service.

“Prices for the service vary depending on the tests that are required and are tailored to the individual needs of the client. At the moment the service is only available to fee paying clients, but we are working with local Primary Care Trusts, and hope to ensure that NHS clients will be able to access the same service soon. In the long run, we aim to extend it to our other UK centres.

“We’re hoping that screening for STIs will become as commonplace as having a dental examination or blood pressure check-up.”

For further information:
Tony Kerridge: tony.kerridge@mariestopes.org.uk
tel: 020 7034 2365 / 07748948037

Anna Mawer: anna.mawer@mariestopes.org.uk
tel: 020 7034 2307 / 07879 814023

Categories: United Kingdom; Europe; Health screening

14/08/2008

New Sexual Health Screening Service is Piloted

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