HIV testing clinic success

A special HIV testing clinic to mark World AIDS Day was so successful that another is being planned for Valentine's Day at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust's Sexual Health Service.

Staff held the dedicated walk-in session on 1st December at The Riverside Clinic, James Street West, Bath. Anyone aged 18 or over with no symptoms, but who wanted to be tested for HIV and other STIs, if agreed, was encouraged to come along.

Over 101,000 people are living with HIV in the UK, and globally there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Each year in the UK around 5,000 people are diagnosed with HIV.

Dr Kate Horn, Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV Medicine, said: "We had a very encouraging response and were very pleased to be able to spread the word that having HIV is a very manageable and treatable condition if diagnosed early, and life expectancy of people with HIV is pretty much normal. Our clear message to anyone with any concerns is to get tested, get treated and get on with life."

The Sexual Health Service is planning similar sessions during 2019, starting with a special Valentine's Day event in February.

Look out for more information here in the coming weeks at www.ruh.nhs.uk/sexualhealth

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and is now working towards a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future

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