Terrence Higgins Trust Asks Men In Coventry To Come To The New MOT (Men Only Testing) Centre, UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 10 Sep 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is piloting a new testing service for gay men in Coventry. The charity is calling for men to come to the MOT Centre (Men Only Testing) for a free sexual health screening at its centre on 10 Manor Street. The pilot will take place on Tuesday 15th September between 5.30pm - 8pm.

The service aims to provide an alternative testing environment for men in the city who might not be able to access traditional GUM services during the normal working day. THT will offer free and confidential testing for HIV, Hepatitis A and B, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The M.O.T Centre is drop in only, so there's no need to make an appointment.

In the run up to the launch of the MOT Centre, staff and volunteers from THT will be out in force at Rainbows in Coventry donned in overalls and armed with spanners urging men to come along to for a sexual health MOT. The team will be at Rainbows on Saturday 12th September from 10pm-12am to raise awareness of the MOT Centre, and can also give general information and advice about sexual health.

Those who attend the clinic will be given information and support before and after testing, and anyone who tests positive will also be given information on the range of help, treatment and services available, including counselling and peer support.

Ewan McPherson at Terrence Higgins Trust in Coventry said: "Our new testing service, the MOT Clinic is aimed especially at gay men. We want to make it easy and convenient for men to come along and get a check up. It's now recommended that gay men test at least once a year, or after any unprotected sex. We hope that we can encourage men to take control and make a sexual health check up as regular and routine as putting your car in for an MOT. "

The clinic also offers information and advice on sexually transmitted infections and safer sex, as well as giving out free condoms. If successful the pilot will be extended and will take place on the 15th of each month from 5.30pm - 8pm. Results for all tests will be available within 7 - 10 working days.

The MOT Centre will run on Tuesday 15 September, between 5.30pm-8.00pm at 10 Manor Road, Coventry CV1 2LH. For enquiries, please call 024 7622 9292.

Source
Terrence Higgins Trust