National HIV Testing Week - which starts on Saturday - is co-ordinated by HIV Prevention England (HPE) and promotes the benefits of regular testing and treatment for both the individual and community.

Our CEO  Owen Williams took the opportunity to have a test carried out by our GUM consultant Lindsay Short.  He said: “If you go to the National HIV Testing Week website it makes the point of asking us to ‘Give HIV the finger’. The central point to this is that a simple finger-prick test could make the difference somebody’s life and therefore I’m glad that we are playing our part in getting the message out there.”

 Lindsay,  who took Owen's test, said: " HIV is a treatable condition and you can live a normal lifespan with treatment, It’s good to know. It’s not just good for your health but also for others. Take a test and help the fight against HIV.”

The week raises awareness of the importance of HIV testing, as well as increasing opportunities to tested – be it in clinical settings, in primary care, through community-based rapid testing or via postal testing. 

If a test reacted you would be fast tracked into the local HIV  service. HIV is a treatable condition.  Lindsay, added: "Treatment allows  you to live a normal lifespan. You can work, travel, have children  It keeps you well and others safe. "
 

This year, the event starts on Saturday 18 November.

Last year hundreds of clinics and organisations participated by raising awareness, providing extra testing opportunities and promoting services – with many using the free and customisable printed and digital resources provided by HIV Prevention England.