Get tested this HIV Testing Week!
Despite carrying out over 48,000 tests in Croydon a year, stigma remains a significant barrier to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention. To help change this, our HIV team are spreading awareness to help promote understanding.
The team will be in the main reception area at Croydon University Hospital all week from 10am-3.30pm offering a HIV ‘test and go’ service to all staff and patients. This will mean that after a brief conversation with the team, you can receive a walk-in slot at our GUM clinic on the same day to get tested for HIV.
This easy access to testing will help to continue to keep you and others safe – so do pay the team a visit, especially if you haven’t been tested before or in a while.
By promoting HIV testing as a routine part of care, the team empower individuals to take control of their health and help break the barriers of fear and misunderstanding.
One critical message the team would like to share is:
U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable.
What Does U=U Mean?
When a person living with HIV takes their medication consistently and achieves an undetectable viral load, they cannot pass the virus to their sexual partners.
Why U=U Matters
- Empowers people living with HIV: U=U helps reduce self-stigma and builds confidence in managing health.
- Destigmatizes HIV: Challenging outdated fears and misinformation that perpetuate discrimination.
- Promotes testing and treatment: Knowing that effective treatment prevents transmission motivates individuals to get tested and stay on treatment.
Together we can normalise testing, combat stigma, and pave the way for prevention, because early detection saves lives and builds stronger communities.
Our HIV team want to hear from you
Fill out this HIV survey by clicking the link or scanning the QR code below to complete it on your mobile device:
Helpful resources
- Aidsmap — Clear and reliable information about HIV
- Africa Advocacy Foundation — Information on South London testing sites
- It Starts With Me — Order a free HIV test
- Visit Croydon Sexual Health for more information or to book an appointment