Society has come a long way since the HIV epidemic of the eighties and nineties. Mainstream attitudes are gradually improving. HIV positive celebrities and public figures are starting to open up, and HIV positive characters in movies and TV shows are not unheard of. Stigma is being smashed every day. There have also been revolutionary advancements in treatment and prevention, with drugs like PEP. But new battles are emerging, with the rise of chemsex and the inexcusable lack of gay sex education in schools. Worse still the rate of new diagnoses is higher than ever.
This week is HIV Testing Week, and organisations like the Terrence Higgins Trust are encouraging everyone to get tested. Knowing things like status statistics is the first step towards putting a stop to HIV and AIDS for good. We’ve compiled a list of places around the city where you can get tested quickly and efficiently in a friendly, modern environment.
And if you don’t fancy going out to get tested, you can always do it yourself at home. There are some great, easy to use self-testing kits available. Order one from Freedoms Shop (freedoms-shop.com) or HIV Home Test.
Mortimer Market Centre (Tottenham Court Road)
A personal favourite of ours here at QX Magazine. Because of its association with University College London, the doctors and nurses who work there are all fresh-faced young graduates who are jokey and friendly without being inappropriate. There’s even a special waiting room for gay men, with comfier seats than the main one. Because we need a comfy seat, for numerous reasons. The services offered include instant HIV tests, and screening for all other STIs, as well as PEP and young people’s services.
Address: Mortimer Market Centre, Capper Street, WC1E 6JB
Opening Times:
Monday/ Tuesday: 07:45 – 18:00
Wednesday: 13:00 – 16:00
Thursday: 07:45 – 18:00
Friday: 07:45 – 14:00
Mortimer Market Centre is run by the NHS Foundation Trust, which has another clinic in Archway that offers the same services at slightly different times:
Address: Archway Centre, 681 – 689 Holloway Road, N19 5SE
Opening Times:
Monday/Tuesday: 09:00 – 18:15
Wednesday: 13:30 – 18:15
Thursday: 09:00 – 19:15
Friday: 09:00 – 15:15
Barts Sexual Health Centre
A friendly and modern sexual health centre located in Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital in the heart of Clerkenwell. In 2008 they joined forces with the British HIV Association, and over the last seven years have been helping bring HIV testing to non-traditional settings. They have specialists to deal with gay men’s sexual health, and offer essential services like HIV screening and PEP.
Address: 1st Floor Kenton and Lucas Wing, St Bartholemew’s Hospital West Smithfield, EC1A 7BE
Opening Hours:
Monday: 09:00 – 16:00
Tuesday: 09:00 – 18:30
Wednesday: 12:00 – 18:30
Thursday/Friday: 09:00 – 16:00
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Community Sexual Health Services
A community sexual health centre located conveniently in gay clubbing mecca Vauxhall. Very anonymous with a safe, non-judgey feel. Offers rapid HIV testing and PEP. Runs a men only clinic on Thursdays.
Address: St George Wharf, Wandsworth Road, SW8 2JB
Opening Hours:
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: 15:30 – 19:30
56 Dean Street
Possibly the most well-regarded gay men’s sexual health centre in London. Offers instant testing and all other sexual health services in an LGBT-run environment. Super-modern and super-efficient! Plus there’s pretty flowers.
Address: 56 Dean Street, W1D 4PR
Opening Hours:
Monday/Tuesday: 08:00 – 19:00
Wednesday: 12:00 – 19:00
Thursday: 08:00 – 19:00
Friday: 09:00 – 16:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 16:00
Dean Street Express
An express service located a few doors down from the larger 56 Dean Street, dealing specifically with symptomless check-ups and rapid testing.
Address: 34 Dean Street, W1D 4PR
Opening Hours:
Monday/Tuesday: 08:00 – 19:00
Wednesday: 12:00 – 19:00
Thursday: 08:00 – 19:00
Friday: 09:00 – 16:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 16:00
cliniQ
Service specifically for trans* people offered at the aforementioned Dean Street Clinic. State-of-the-art services by people who won’t ask impertinent questions, and are used to trans patients. Offers rapid HIV testing and PEP.
Address: 56 Dean Street
Opening Hours:
Wednesdays: 17:30 – 19:00
Positive East
East London service offering help specifically to those dealing with HIV. Of course they also free rapid HIV testing.
Address: 159 Mile End Road, E1 4AQ
Opening Hours:
Wednesday: 17:30 – 20:30
Saturday: 11:00 – 15:00
Ladbroke Grove
There’s a convenient place to get tested if you live in West London too! In lovely leafy Ladbroke Grove. Drop-in HIV testing available at WLGMP offices.
Address: St Charles’ Centre for Health & Wellbeing, Exmoor Street, W10 6DZ.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sundays: 14:00 – 16:00
Ku Bar
Yes, you can get tested at Ku Bar in Soho! Get tested, then have a nice drink after. Rapid HIV testing 4 minutes from Leicester Square Station.
Address: 25 Frith Street, WC1D 5LB
Opening Hours:
Every Saturday: 13:00 – 16:00
Clifden Centre
A nice little clinic in East London’s Homerton University Hospital. Offers rapid HIV testing, walk-in services and PEP, with a special clinic for men who have sex with men on Thursdays between 5pm and 7pm.
Address: Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, E9 6SR
Opening Hours:
Monday: 09:00 – 18:30
Tuesday: 09:00 – 15:00
Wednesday: 12:00 – 18:30
Thursday: 09:00 – 15:30
Friday: 09:00 – 15:30
