Minister for Mental Health and Equality Martin Foley this week visited Dean Street Express, the ground-breaking sexual health clinic in central London that offers services including a free, walk-in rapid HIV test.
Mr Foley visited the clinic, based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in Soho, on the advice of the Victorian Aids Council.
Mr Foley discussed many of the issues involved in the international effort to reduce HIV transmission rates by combating the stigma of HIV through making services friendly and easy to use.
The Dean Street clinic uses the latest technology to make screening as easy as possible, with touchscreen check-in, self-taken tests and fast blood tests. As well as the instant HIV tests, it conducts routine sexual health checks for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C.
Results are delivered via text message and, if the client needs treatment, the message will include information on how to arrange follow-up.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley
“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to addressing the health needs of LGBTI Victorians. Visits such as this one help ensure that we stay abreast of the latest developments in quick, effective, user-friendly healthcare.”
“We will work with the community to try to drive HIV rates down to zero.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is putting equality back on the agenda. We’ve appointed Australia’s first Gender and Sexuality Commissioner, and all of our election commitments are being honoured.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020