One hour HIV testing clinic opens

The test involves taking a drop of blood

An HIV testing service which provides results within an hour has been opened in Cardiff.

The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) charity has linked up with Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust to provide the free service at its offices in Canton.

The six month pilot for 'Fastest' is being funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and aims to test up to 10 people a week for the virus.

Results are gathered after a fingertip pin prick test is carried out.

A drop of blood is put onto a test strip which indicates if HIV is present by the development of colour in a similar way to how a pregnancy test works.

If the results are positive, a full screening test will be carried out as well as full pre and post counselling.

There are usually long waiting times in clinics for testing and often you don't get the results back for a week Robjohn, THT

The first tests will be carried out on Tuesday evening and the service will be offered on a weekly basis.

Robjohn, the national manager for the Terrence Higgins Trust in Wales said the service was already being offered in clinics in England and hoped if the pilot scheme in Cardiff is successful would extend throughout Wales.

"It is a one hour HIV testing service which is out of hours so it means you don't have to give an excuse to work or college about why you aren't able to go in," he said.

"There are usually long waiting times in clinics for testing and often you don't get the results back for a week and in that time it can be very worrying.

'Strong evidence'

"This is a simple finger prick test and we get the results back within the hour.

"It takes away the anxious long wait where people may be worried about their own health and other people.

"In Wales we have some of the longest waiting times and this is a way of trying to speed things up.

"It is all about reducing the waiting time and if needs be getting treatment sooner rather than later."

He said the pilot scheme which has been given £10,000 funding from the assembly government is being closely watched in other areas of Wales in particular Swansea and Bangor.

"If it is a success, hopefully it can be extended into parts of Wales where services are already limited like mid and west Wales as well as other parts," he said.

"There is strong evidence that some people come forward for testing very late, sometimes when they are already ill.

"We hope that by making it easier to have an HIV test, more people will come forward."

The 'Fastest' clinic will take place every Tuesday from 1800-2000 at the THT office in Cardiff.

For more information contact: 02920 666 465 or THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.