TO mark this week’s National HIV Testing Week and its theme of ‘I Test’, Sefton councillors Mhairi Doyle and Sam Hinde and the Authority’s Interim Director of Public Health, Dr Rory McGill have all taken tests of their own.

They each had the ‘finger-prick’ test, which comes up with a result in 60 seconds. All the results came back negative.

National HIV Testing Week is an annual event to promote regular testing. Regular testing, especially among groups most affected by HIV, helps to reduce the numbers of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late.

HIV testing is quick, confidential and free. During National HIV Testing Week, you can order free tests online here. 

You can find out more from the Sefton Sexual Health Service at this link. 

Dr McGill said:- "As part of National HIV Testing Week, we really wanted to show people how easy and quick it can be to get a HIV test. It's really important to know what your status is to prevent that onward transmission of the virus because the earlier you get diagnosed, if you are positive, it's a long-term condition. Please, do engage with Sefton’s local sexual health services because they're fab, they're free at the point of access and they're there to help you go through any of the questions you might have."

Wendy Hicks, Matron with the Sefton Sexual Health Team, said:- “HIV testing is for everybody. Anybody who's had any unprotected sex at any point should have a HIV test to understand their status. And if you are having unprotected sex, you should test regularly every 3 months or so. We would also recommend that you test at the start of any new relationship.”

Trish Delves said:- “Sefton Sexual Health we invite everybody who is concerned about their HIV status or maybe has never tested to come along to see us. I can assure them we will always maintain confidentiality. We are a non-judgmental free service, we are easily accessible and supportive and if people get a difficult diagnosis, we will support them through that.”

Molyneaux ward councillor, Sam Hind said:- “I've just had a super quick pinprick test to clarify my HIV status. It doesn't matter how old you are, what your gender, it's worth doing because if we don't know our status, we can't protect ourselves and we can't protect others. A few years ago, I know growing up, we felt like HIV and AIDS was a death sentence. That's not the case now. Through modern medicine, people can live long, fulfilling lives, often with just 1 pill a day. So, find out your HIV status, protect yourself and protect others.”

Cllr Doyle who is Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, said:- “I've come here to have an HIV test because, 1, I think it's really important that people know what their status is and two, I've got a personal thing about this. My son was diagnosed as HIV positive many years ago. He died in 2012. It wasn't through, he wasn't in AIDS, it wasn't HIV, but it didn't help with his condition. I just think that anything that I can do that is going to help people and stop them going through what I went through as a mother, I'm up for. Just go and get tested because it will put your mind at rest.”

Wendy Hicks added:- “If you are HIV positive and you take medication regularly, your viral load becomes undetectable and at that point the virus is untransmissible through sexual activity, and we would support you to utilise this in your relationships. And if you are HIV negative and you are engaging in high risk sexual behaviours, there is the opportunity to take PrEP which reduces your risk of catching HIV by taking medication to support that.”

People can find out more from the Sefton Sexual Health Service at this website. 

Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing at Hoghton Street, Southport, PR9 0PQ (01695 656550) offers HIV testing and appointments and walk-in tests between 9am and 12.30pmon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

St Hugh’s, Bootle, (5th floor), Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 3QQ.(01695 656550) offers HIV testing and appointments and walk-in tests between 9am and 12.30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Free and confidential HIV testing can also be arranged at LCVS (Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services), 4th Floor, LCVS Building, 151 Dale Street, Liverpol L2 2AH.