26 January 2023

National HIV testing week banner.jpg

National HIV Testing Week is back on Monday 6 February 2023, to promote regular testing among key population groups in England. This year, the campaign returns with a new strapline, ‘I Test.’, followed by a line that explores people’s different reasons for testing. It’s the only way to stay in control of your health and know if you have HIV.

I test - HIV Week poster.jpg

Testing for HIV with CNWL is quick and easy. All it takes is a finger-prick test and you can even test from the comfort of your own home.

While new HIV diagnoses have continued to fall, the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report that late HIV diagnoses continue to remain stubbornly high in England. In 2020, 42% of people first diagnosed in England were diagnosed late. UKHSA warn that in people diagnosed late in 2019 had more than a seven-fold increased risk of death within a year of diagnosis, compared to those diagnosed promptly.

People can live with HIV for a long time without knowing it. Finding out sooner means that you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus on to anyone else.

How to get tested

CNWL runs sexual health services across London and Surrey. There are lots of ways to get a HIV test with CNWL. If you're based in London, you can order free tests online from the Sexual Health London website. Residents in Surrey (who are over 16) can visit our dedicated page to order home testing kits.

You can also speak to our staff in your local sexual health service, or your GP. Our clinic pages are here

We also provide HIV care and treatment at the Bloomsbury Clinic in London and from two clinics in Surrey in Guildford and Redhill. In London, you can transfer your care to us by calling us on 020 3317 5100 or email b.patients@nhs.net. In Surrey you can call us on 01483 675 389 and press option 4 for HIV Services.

Health promotion and testing in the community during HIV Testing Week

To mark HIV Testing Week, CNWL’s Sexual Health outreach teams in London and Surrey will also be raising awareness about the importance of testing for HIV.

Our Surrey Sexual Health Team will be at the University of Creative Arts (UCA) at their Epsom campus on Monday 6 February and their Farnham campus on Thursday 9 February raising awareness about how students can get tested and promoting sexual health services, offering out condoms and Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea kits too. This is for the University students only.

In London, CNWL’s Sexual Health Promotion Team, CLASH will be holding a variety of clinics and outreach testing sessions to support the LGBT+, Black Asian Minority Ethnic, Homeless and Sex worker community. They’ll be offering tests for HIV and raising awareness around pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) a medication to prevent HIV.

See a list of outreach sessions below:

Date Location
Monday 6 February
  • 9am to 1pm - CLASH Clinic at Mortimer Market Centre (Capper Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, WC1E 6JB) for Sexworkers
  • 2pm to 5pm - Middlesex University LGBTQ+ & Disability Networks, National Testing Week Outreach Event (The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT)
  • 2pm to 5pm - LIFT Centre (45 White Lion street. London. N1 9PW)
  • 6.30pm to 8.30pm Castlehaven LGBTQ+ Community Centre, 23 Castlehaven Road NW1 8RU (LGBTIQ+ | Castlehaven Community Association) [Joint session with CLASH/SHOC]

Tuesday 7 February

  • 12pm to 2pm - London Metropolitan University Students Union (Harglenis Building, 166-220 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DB) [Joint session with CLASH/SHOC & CNWL’s Young People’s Service based at Archway]
  • 12pm to 2pm - Olallo House for BAME/Homeless people
  • 1pm – 6pm. Wood Green Central Library. 187-197A High Road, Wood Green, London N22 6XD. CNWL will be joining Embrace UK who will deliver the testing
  • 6.30pm to 8.30pm - 23 Castle Haven Rd NW1 8RU for 

    BAME/Homeless MSM-LGBTQIA+

  • 8pm to 1am - Street outreach Haringey for sex workers
Wednesday 8 February
  • 8am to 5pm - City University of London (Northamptom Square, Student union, London, EC1V 0HB)
  • 11am to 12pm - Migrant Centre (Online presentation) 
Thursday 9 February
  • 12pm to 5pm - SHOC Clinic at Archway Clinic (681-689 Holloway Road, Archway, London, N19 5SE), 

Friday 10 February

  • 9am to 1pm - CLASH Clinic at Mortimer Market Centre (Capper Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, WC1E 6JB) for sexworkers
  • 12pm - 5pm Edgware Broadwalk Shopping Centre (Station Road, Edgware HA8 7BD England – find us by the Costa Coffee Stand opposite JD Sports)
  • 5pm – 7.30pm Zodiac Bar (119 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE)

The best way to protect yourself from HIV is to wear a condom and take PrEP

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It’s a medicine people at risk of HIV can take to prevent them from getting HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective. It can help you stay in control of your sex life and keep healthy.

PrEP may be a good choice for you if your sexual partners have a higher likelihood of being HIV positive and if you struggle to use condoms consistently for penetrative sex.

If you would like to know more about whether PrEP is right for you, you can find more information here and you can ask about PrEP at any sexual health appointment at a CNWL clinic.

How do I get PrEP?

In London, you can self-book an appointment to start or continue PrEP at Mortimer Market Centre, Archway Centre and Edgware Community Hospital online.

If you live in Surrey and would like to start PrEP or need a repeat prescription, call us for an appointment on 01483 675389, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.