We have teamed up with METRO Charity to encourage all residents to think about their sexual health and to get tested during Greenwich Sexual Health (GSH) Week, which runs from Monday 25 November to Sunday 1 December 2019. The focus of the week will be around raising awareness of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC).

In addition to an ongoing social media campaign promoting the types and benefits of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception, the Greenwich Sexual Health team will visit different areas of the borough to support registrations to its online testing service, give away free condoms and advice and offer Chlamydia screening for under 25s. The team will also be visiting schools, colleges, and youth groups locally to support young people to take care of their sexual health and well-being. 

There will be an HIV testing bus in Woolwich’s General Gordon Square on Friday 29 November, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Residents can pop along to have a rapid HIV test, pick up free condoms, get help registering to the online testing service, or just chat about sexual health. METRO Charity will be promoting Greenwich sexual health services alongside offering free HIV testing and Chlamydia screening.

Dr Greg Ussher, METRO CEO, said: “Good sexual health is vital to our overall health and wellbeing, and METRO is proud to support Greenwich Sexual Heath Week. As part of normalising discussions about sexual health, METRO Charity wants to use Greenwich Sexual Health Week to increase awareness of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception, and of the excellent services available to Greenwich residents.”  

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception is free and can be accessed at any of the Greenwich sexual health clinics. Long-Acting Reversible Contraception does not prevent transmission of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms remain the best way to prevent STI/HIV transmission, along with regular testing to ensure treatment is accessed when needed.

For details of Greenwich sexual health services and further information about Greenwich Sexual Health Week, please call 020 8305 5005 or visit www.greenwichsexualhealth.org.