Bromley Healthcare raising awareness of HIV and STIs in Bromley

wisDOM is a scheme providing free condoms and confidential HIV and STI prevention advice to the African and Afro-Caribbean community in Bromley. The scheme is available to people aged 16 or over that live, work or study in the borough. Members of the community meeting these criteria can take the condoms free of charge and in confidence.

Bromley Healthcare are launching this new look scheme to coincide with World AIDS day. Held on 1 December each year, World AIDS day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, and show their support to all those affected by it.

Bromley Healthcare will use World AIDS Day as an opportunity to raise awareness of HIV, offer free instant testing, promote safer sex messages to all communities and highlight the importance of early testing for HIV.

‘HIV awareness is more important today than ever as prevalence in Bromley has increased over the past year to 2.65 people per 1000,” says Nicolette Lawrence from Bromley Healthcare’s health improvement team. “With nearly half of new cases being diagnosed late and 17% of HIV positive people being unaware of their status, getting tested early is key.”

The Health Improvement Service will be offering free, instant finger-prick, HIV testing
from the following locations throughout HIV testing week:

Friday 27 November 11am-5pm
STOP SMOKING MOBILE CLINIC, High Street, Penge

Saturday 28 November 11am-5pm
MACK’S PHARMACY, 165 High Street, Penge
(These will be carried out by campaign partners Metro)

Monday 30 November 10am-4pm
INFORMATION STAND, Beckenham Beacon foyer

World AIDS Day – 1 December 11am-5pm
STOP SMOKING MOBILE CLINIC, High Street, Penge

Wednesday 2 December 3.30pm-7pm
Contraception Clinic, Kimmeridge Road, Mottingham

HIV awareness is more important than ever given that HIV rates in the UK continue to rise. A total of 6151 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2014. 17% of people with HIV are unaware they have it. It can affect anyone.
(HIV New Disgnoses, Treatment and Care in the UK, Health Protection Agency 2015)
Testing is one of the most effective prevention methods. With treatment (anti-retroviral therapy) people can lead healthy normal lives. Treatment is more effective in early diagnosis and can result in an undetectable viral load, which reduces the likelihood of transmission even further.

Free condoms can be obtained at participating outlets or by post via our Facebook page, phone, text or email. wisDOM is co-ordinated by the Health Improvement Service at Bromley Healthcare.

For further information on the wisDOM scheme
Contact the Health Improvement Service

020 8315 8932
sophie.mccleave@bromleyhealthcare-cic.nhs.uk