Hospital has walk-in tests for HIV

Leighton Hospital is offering rapid HIV tests at walk-in clinics in the run-up to World AIDS Day on Sunday, December 1st.

The Centre for Sexual Health is offering 'walk-in' clinics every weekday morning between 9am-noon, with no prior booking required. Alternatively, people can book an afternoon appointment at Leighton Hospital.

Dr Martyn Wood, consultant in sexual health at Mid Cheshire NHS, said: "One in four of those with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed. This can mean they are unable to access the life-saving treatment that is available to them."

"These people will also be getting sicker, probably without even knowing it, and may well be passing the infection on to others."

The Centre for Sexual Health at Leighton Hospital offers rapid HIV testing, the results of which are usually available within 20 minutes. This test is a simple mouth swab sample or through a finger pin-prick blood test.

Dr Rachael Ellks, Consultant in Sexual Health, added: "HIV can affect anyone, and that is why we recommend anybody who is sexually active to get a test. Testing really does save lives, so I would seriously encourage people to get themselves checked."

Details of the walk-in clinics can be found on the Trust website here.

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