AQW 1189/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 09/06/2022
Answered On Date: 20/06/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to increase the take up of HIV testing.

Answer:

The Public Health Agency (PHA) holds a number of sexual health contracts across the five Health & Social Care Trusts and Community/Voluntary Sector organisations which promote, encourage and provide HIV testing.

Through contracts with the Trusts, the PHA continues to promote and resource Outreach Nurse-led clinics and Sexual Health/Genitourinary Medicine clinics via posters, leaflets and wallet cards. Promotional videos have also been created to advertise the health clinics to young people aged 16-25 years, working in partnership with Regional Further Educational Colleges.

The Public Health Agency has contracts for the provision of telephone enquiry services and information helplines for the general public and professionals on a range of sexual health issues, including STIs and information on the availability and importance of HIV testing.

Contracts with community and voluntary organisations ensure promotion of good sexual health and relationships is an integral part of their service. This includes various helplines, web pages, leaflets and drop in centres. A few of our providers also support the emotional health and wellbeing of their clients, partners and families.

The PHA currently has a regional tender for relationship and sexuality education for young people in community settings, which promotes the theme with youth organisations, parents and young people. HIV and sexually transmitted infections is an important theme within this education programme.