Free, confidential HIV testing and advice coming to Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire and Blackpool
Free, confidential HIV testing and advice will be coming to Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire and Blackpool next week.
The move is part of February’s National HIV Testing Week which starts on Monday. It shines a light on the importance of knowing your HIV status. HIV is the virus which if left intreated can lead to AIDS.
This year, Revolution, powered by Renaissance UK, will be out across Blackpool, Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen offering free, confidential and fast HIV tests in the places people live, work, study and socialise.
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As partners for the National HIV Prevention England Campaign “I Test”, National HIV Testing Week focuses on increasing access to HIV testing in communities with higher prevalence and among groups at greater risk of late diagnosis to make progress towards the national goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.
Anthony Harrison-West, Sexual Health Manager at Renaissance UK, said: “HIV has changed dramatically over the years, but testing remains just as important. Too many people are still diagnosed late, often because they didn’t think testing was relevant to them.
“By taking testing out into everyday community settings, we’re making it easier for people to know their status, access support early and protect their own health and the health of others.”
Thanks to advances in treatment, people living with HIV can now live long, healthy lives and once on effective treatment, HIV cannot be passed on to sexual partners. However, many people are still diagnosed late, often after years without symptoms.
In the UK, HIV testing is free, confidential and simple through local sexual health clinics, community organisations and postal testing services.
National HIV Testing Week events across the county include:
Blackburn with Darwen
Lancashire
- Monday 9 February – Royal Preston Hospital (Charters Restaurant), 11am–2pm
- Tuesday 10 February – Plungington Community Centre, 10am–2pm
- Tuesday 10 February – Market Square, Lancaster, 10am–4pm
- Thursday 12 February – British Red Cross, Preston, 9.30am–12pm
- Thursday 12 February – COTS, Burnley, 1pm–3.30pm
- Thursday 12 February – Inspire Preston, 1.30pm–4.30pm
- Friday 13 February – Edge Hill University, 10am–3pm.
Blackpool
- Monday 9 February – Blackpool University, 10am–2pm
- Tuesday 10 February – Fast-Track Clinic, 102 Dickson Road, 12pm–8pm
- Wednesday 11 February – Blackpool Train Station, morning
- Wednesday 11 February – Rainbow Quarter, evening.