It’s National HIV Testing Week this week, encouraging everyone to head out and get tested for HIV. While there’s been loads of great progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS over the last few years, it’s still not over – the best way of stopping it once and for all is for everyone to know their status.
When getting tested, it’s important to pick the best option for you. There are loads of places around London where you can get tested quickly, discreetly and for free! We’ve listed them below.
Dean Street
34 Dean Street, W1D 4PR. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road
The Beyonce of sexual health clinics, Dean Street is perhaps the best-known clinic around, offering exceptionally quick services in a squeaky clean, modern environment. The staff are fun and friendly, and it all runs like a well-oiled machine. Although 56 Dean Street is their flagship establishment, if you’re just getting a quick HIV test it’s actually best to head to their sister clinic Dean Street Express down the road. Use their online booking system beforehand at deanstreetexpress.chelwest.nhs.uk (New slots released at 7pm daily).
OPENING HOURS:
- Monday: 8am – 7pm
- Tuesday: 8am – 7pm
- Wednesday: 12pm – 7pm
- Thursday: 8am – 7pm
- Friday: 9am – 4pm
- Saturday: 11am – 4pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
Mortimer Market Centre
Capper Street, WC1E 6JB. Nearest station: Warren Street
Mortimer Market is a quiet, calm little clinic just near Warren Street Station. It’s not as widely known or as widely used as Dean Street, so it’s perfect if you want to be a little more anonymous. Book online at sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk
Opening hours:
- Monday: 8am – 7pm
- Tuesday: 8am – 7pm
- Wednesday: 8am – 7pm
- Thursday: 8am – 7pm
- Friday: 8am – 3pm
- Saturday: 9am – 3pm
- Sunday : CLOSED
80 Leadenhall Street
80 Leadenhall Street, EC3A 3DH. Nearest Station: Aldgate East
Part of Homerton Hospital, 80 Leadenhall Street is located slap bang in the centre of The City, perfect if you’re a high-powered office worker gay. It only opened last year, so it’s got all the mod cons and is super bright and clean. Book online at homerton.nhs.uk
OPENING HOURS:
- Monday: 8am – 2pm
- Tuesday: 8am – 2pm
- Wednesday: 12:30pm – 7pm
- Thursday: 12pm – 7pm
- Friday: 12pm – 7pm
- Saturday: 9am – 2pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
John Scott Health Centre
Green Lanes, N4 2NU. Nearest Station: Manor House
A little-known gem for all you bougie North London queers! John Scott Health Centre on Green Lanes offers walk-in sexual health services on weekday afternoons.
OPENING HOURS:
- Monday: 1pm – 5pm
- Tuesday: 1pm – 5pm
- Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm
- Thursday: 1pm – 5pm
- Friday: 1pm – 5pm
- Saturday: CLOSED
- Sunday: CLOSED
Clifden Centre
Homerton Row, E9 6SR. Nearest Station: Hackney Central/Homerton
The go-to clinic if you’re one of those East Londoners who hates setting foot in Central London. Part of Homerton University Hospital so they’ve got loads of great resources and often staffed by friendly medical students. Book online at homerton.nhs.uk
OPENING HOURS:
- Monday: 9am – 4pm
- Tuesday: 9am – 3pm
- Wednesday: 12pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday: 9am – 3:30pm
- Friday: 9am – 3:30pm
- Saturday: CLOSED
- Sunday: CLOSED
Camberwell Sexual Health Centre
94-104 Denmark Hill, SE5 9RS. Nearest Station: Denmark Hill
Large sexual health clinic in South East London. The lack of sexual health services in the area means it’s often quite busy, which means it’s best to book online beforehand. Appointment slots are released on Tuesday and Friday afternoons at kch.nhs.uk.
OPENING HOURS:
- Monday: 8am – 3pm
- Tuesday: 8am – 3pm
- Wednesday: 12pm – 7pm
- Thursday: 10am – 5pm
- Friday: 10am – 5pm
- Saturday: CLOSED
- Sunday: CLOSED
Falcon Road
160 Falcon Road, SW11 2LN. Nearest Station: Clapham Junction
Comprehensive and efficient sexual health centre in Clapham, right next to Clapham Junction Station. As well as walk-in testing services, they also offer a free home testing service to residents of Merton, Richmond or Wandsworth boroughs. They run a clinic that caters specifically to gay men on Mondays, 5pm – 7pm. To make an appointment or order a home test, head to shswl.nhs.uk/clinic-locations/falcon-road.
OPENING HOURS:
- Monday: 8am – 8pm
- Tuesday: 8am – 8pm
- Wednesday: 8am – 3:30pm
- Thursday: 8am – 8pm
- Friday: 8am – 8pm
- Saturday: 9am – 2pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
Self-Testing Kit
The most stress free and anonymous way of testing yourself for HIV is with a home testing kit. Make sure you get it from a verified website, and when it arrives, make sure it’s sealed, that there’s no damage to the packaging and that it’s within its expiry date. Also look for the CE Quality Assurance Mark – this means that it will work properly and is safe. Two great self-test kit resources are Freedoms Shop and Biosure (available at Boots, Superdrug and other pharmacists).
If you’d like more information on HIV, HIV Testing Week and more, head to tht.org.uk.