Eastbourne MP to take HIV test during England’s first ever National HIV Testing Week
Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon, is to take a public HIV test on 27th November in an effort to encourage more local people to test for the virus. Mr Lloyd will attend Eastbourne’s sexual health clinic at Avenue House for a simple finger-prick blood test. His result will be delivered within 20 minutes.
When: Tuesday 27th November; 9.15am to 9.45pm
Where: Avenue House, The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3XY
Who: Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon
Mr Lloyd is taking the test to raise awareness during England’s first ever National HIV Testing Week. The new week has been launched by Terrence Higgins Trust and runs from 23rd to 30th November. The initiative aims to encourage people at high risk of HIV, in particular gay men and Africans, to get tested in the run up to World AIDS Day (1st December).
More than 4,800 people were accessing care for HIV in the South East Coast region of England in 2011. However, more than a quarter people with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed and therefore at risk of serious health problems.
Avenue House sexual health clinic offers a fully integrated sexually transmitted infection, contraceptive and HIV service. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7.15pm, on a drop in basis. There are outreach clinics in some outlying towns. For more information about the Avenue House services, please call (01323) 416100.
MP Stephen Lloyd said: “National HIV Testing Week is a great way of shining a light on the importance of HIV testing. I am delighted to show my support by highlighting just how quick and simple taking an HIV test can be.”
Daniel Murray from Terrence Higgins Trust in East Sussex said: “It’s fantastic that our Eastbourne MP is helping us to put National HIV Testing Week on the map. People with undiagnosed HIV are not only putting their own health at risk, they are also more likely to pass the virus on unwittingly. It’s vital we encourage more people, particularly those at increased risk of HIV, to get tested.”
Mr Lloyd and Eastbourne’s mayor will lead the annual World Aids Day Parade taking place on 1st December and departing from Eastbourne Town Hall at 6pm. The event is organised by Eastbourne Council and is supported by Bourne Out, Eastbourne’s Forum for the LGBT community. It is a chance to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS.
As part of the charity’s events programme this World AIDS Day, Terrence Higgins Trust in East Sussex is also putting on a special testing event in partnership with Avenue House on 1st December at Eastbourne LGBT venue, The Hart. The event will run from 2pm to 5pm and the charity is inviting gay and bisexual men to attend for free, confidential and rapid HIV tests without any need to make any prior appointment.
For more information about services that Terrence Higgins Trust offers in East Sussex, please contact Terrence Higgins Trust Eastbourne on (01323) 649927 or email info.eastbourne@tht.org.uk.