Terrence Higgins Trust Opens A New HIV And Sexual Health Centre In Nottingham

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 20 Jul 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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On 30 July sexual health and HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will officially open its new centre in Nottingham. The charity has been based in the city since February 2008 from its old site in Lace Market. THT's new centre on 23 Barker Gate, which is funded by NHS Nottingham City, NHS Nottinghamshire County, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council will offer a wider range of services to support people living with HIV and help prevent the rising rates of sexual ill-health.

New services include a weekly clinic offering rapid HIV testing and screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This free and confidential service will run every Friday from 4-7pm. The HIV test involves taking a finger-prick blood test which is analysed straight away, with the results provided within one hour. Testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C will also be offered.

Those who attend the clinic will be given information and advice before and after testing, and those who test positive for Chlamydia and Gonhorrea will be offered treatment. Anyone who receives a positive result for another sexually transmitted infection will be referred to their local NHS services. Sexual health advice and information will be available at the clinic alongside information on the range of services available for people living with HIV, including counselling and peer support.

Other services at THT's new centre include:

- Health promotion outreach work focused on preventing HIV from being passed on
- Support groups and health advice for people living with HIV
- One to one advice
- General information on sexually transmitted infections
- Condoms and safer sex information
- Counselling for people living with or affected by HIV
- Support for children and families affected by HIV
- Complementary therapies including aromatherapy, reflexology and Indian head massages for people living with HIV

Mick Mason, Centre Manager for THT in Nottingham said: "We're delighted to be opening our service in the heart of the city. It will now be much easier for people living with HIV to get all the help and support they need under one roof. Our new home also means we can provide a testing clinic for people living across Nottingham. With approximately one in four people living with HIV unaware that they have the virus, it's crucial that we do all we can to make it easier and quicker to have an HIV test.

Deborah Hooton, Head of Sexual Health Commissioning for NHS Nottingham City, said: ''The services provided by THT will be invaluable to the local population living with or affected by HIV. THT will enhance further the local network of Sexual Health Services in Nottingham that offer many choices to the local communities on where to access their care for Sexual Health issues.''

The address of the new centre is 23 Barker Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1JU. The telephone number for THT in Nottingham will continue to be 0115 882 0121.

Source
Terrence Higgins Trust

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