Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton is extending its ‘Fastest’ service, making the service more accessible for deaf and hard of hearing gay and bisexual men by providing interpreters at a selection of clinic dates.

Ben Tunstall, Senior Practitioner in Health Promotion at THT in Brighton said: “Research recently conducted by the University of Brighton revealed the difficulties deaf and hard of hearing gay and bisexual men living in Brighton face when trying to access health care services. In response to this THT is making some changes to our ‘Fastest’ service, which offers HIV test results within an hour. We hope that by making it easier to have an HIV test, more people will come forward.”

‘Fastest’, which runs as a drop-in clinic every Monday evening from 6 – 9pm, will have BSL interpreters on the following dates:

Monday 24th November 2008
Monday 23rd February 2009
Monday 1st June 2009

As only the first ten men can be seen each week, anyone who requires the services of an interpreter on the dates above can book a space by contacting Mark Cull on 01273 764 223 using type talk or email mark.cull@tht.org.uk  For the November clinic, please contact Mark by Tuesday 18th November.

Fastest in Brighton has been running since 2004. The service aims to provide an alternative testing environment for people who are not able to access services during the normal working day, or who may be put off by hospitals and traditional sexual health clinics. The clinic offers test results for HIV within an hour, whereas results from sexual health clinics can take several days. 

Tests are free and confidential for everyone. Pre and post test counselling and support will be offered to those attending and anyone who tests positive will be given full support in choosing a treatment centre. They will also be given information on the range of support services provided by THT and other local services including counselling, information, advice and peer support.

For further information on the clinic please contact Mark Cull at the Terrence Higgins Trust on 01273 764 223.
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Notes to editors

• The clinic will be based at: Terrence Higgins Trust, 61 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AE.
  
• ‘Count Me In Too – general health additional findings report’, by Dr. Kath Browne with Dr. Jason Lim, published in July 2008 by the University of Brighton and Spectrum, highlighted that issues of multiple marginalisation are key to understanding deaf LGBT people’s lives and experiences. A deaf focus group was organised as part of the Count Me In Too research and the report stated “The deaf focus group indicated some of the difficulties deaf people face in trying to access health services, in particular communication with health professionals and access to services more generally.”
  
• THT’s ‘Fastest’ service uses BSL interpreters from Neal Communications Agency.
  
• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups.  We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all.