How do clients access their HIV test results from genitourinary medicine services in the UK? A time for change!

Abstract

With the changes in the nation's sexual health needs and the introduction of the Government's Sexual Health Strategy, GU services need to review their operational policies to accommodate the inevitable increase for service. There had been a long-standing practice of anyone having an HIV test to return in person to collect his or her result. As more and more people, many of whom are considered to be low risk, are testing for HIV as part of a routine sexual health check-up, the question is, do they really need to return in person for these results? The national survey shows that while the majority of clinics are insisting that everyone having an HIV test returns in person, there are some services that have already adopted other approaches. It is also evident that many service providers are also considering a change in policy.