Published: Thursday, 16th November 2017

Residents can get a free and confidential sexual health screen and HIV test.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has teamed up with METRO Charity to encourage residents to get tested as well as raising awareness of sexually transmitted infections.

Greenwich Sexual Health Week 2017

Greenwich Sexual Health Week 2017 kicks off on Friday 24 November and runs until World AIDS Day on Friday 1 December, when a HIV testing bus will be stationed in Woolwich's General Gordon Square from 12pm to 5pm.

The roadshow will visit different areas of the borough throughout the week. Sexual health advice and free condoms will be available as well as Chlamydia screenings for under 25s to help encourage residents to take control of their sexual health and wellbeing.

The Greenwich Sexual Health team will be giving presentations to local schools and colleges to encourage them to sign up to Royal Greenwich's free condom scheme and Chlamydia screenings. A sexual health bus will visit Greenwich University's Avery Hill campus on 27 November to spread the message further.

METRO Charity

METRO Charity will be promoting Greenwich Sexual Health services alongside offering free HIV testing and Chlamydia screenings.

You can search for @METROCharity and #GreenwichSexualHealthWeek on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

'I'd encourage everyone to get tested'

Councillor David Gardner, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: "We offer a wide range of sexual health advice services in Royal Greenwich including free and confidential advice and tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

"Getting tested is the only way to find out if you have a sexually transmitted infection so I'd encourage everyone to get tested. As with any health condition, healthcare staff will then be able to give you the best advice about treatment and any other related issues."

'These weeks are effective in raising awareness'

Dr Greg Ussher, METRO CEO, said: "Sexual health is so important to our overall health and wellbeing and we are delighted to be supporting Royal Greenwich Sexual Health Week. We know that these weeks are effective in raising awareness and increasing uptake of what is available in the borough."

About HIV

An estimated 13,500 people living with HIV in the UK are unaware they are infected, putting them at higher risk of poor health and transmitting the virus to others.

Treatment for HIV has improved significantly but there is still no cure. People infected with HIV and who are taking treatment can live long, healthy lives, but early diagnosis is critical to the best health outcomes. The Royal Borough of Greenwich wants to support all residents to know their HIV status.