Why it's better to know
- "It took me a while to get the guts to go for a test. I think I must have gone to the door of Positive East at least three times before I went in. The sense of relief I got when I tested negative was just brilliant" Liam
- "Knowing my HIV status gave me the opportunity to look after myself better than before. We take life and health for granted. I learned to look after myself" Stella
Having a sexual health check should be as regular and routine as a visit to the dentist or opticians. Your sexual health is important to you and also to your sexual partner(s) and family.
Our It's Better to Know HIV testing programme, aims to reduce the anxiety in having a test, by providing a free, fast, friendly and confidential HIV testing service in the local community.
The free test takes a few minutes (99.4% accuracy levels) and the results are totally confidential. No details are passed on to any other agencies; no appointment or pre-bookings are needed.
Our trained and experienced community-focused Workers are here to help and support you through the HIV test process and afterwards.
If you have any concerns or issues about the HIV test, come along to one of our sessions as no appointment is needed and have a chat with one of our Workers. You can change your mind about having a test at any point during the session.
For further details, visit the 'Having a test' web page.
- The number of people living with HIV in the UK reached an estimated 86,500 in 2009, but more than a quarter - almost 22,500 - were unaware of their infection
- A total of 6,630 people were newly diagnosed as HIV-infected. This represents a fourth year-on-year decline
- One in six MSM, and one in sixteen heterosexuals newly diagnosed with HIV had acquired their infection within the previous 4-5 months before diagnosis
- Over half of people newly diagnosed in 2009 – 3,450 – were diagnosed late, after the stage when treatment should have started
- Some 65,000 individuals accessed HIV care, of whom one in five were aged 50 years or over. Since 2000 there has been a three-fold increase in the number of individuals accessing care and a four-fold increase among older (>50 years) individuals
- Based on London data, 80% of newly diagnosed patients were seen in an HIV clinic within one month of diagnosis
