Northumberland residents reminded of the importance of HIV testing

06 Feb 2025

During National HIV Testing Week (10 - 16 February) Northumberland County Council will be supporting a national campaign to promote regular testing to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV. 

The annual campaign highlights that: 

• Testing for HIV is quick and easy, all it takes is a finger-prick test. 
• People can live with HIV for a long time without any symptoms, testing is the only way to know your HIV status. 
• If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else. 
• Testing for HIV is still available. You can test at home using HIV postal and self-test kits. These are safe, confidential and enable you to take a test at your own convenience. 
• Anyone diagnosed with HIV in the UK can access free treatment and support. 
• For National HIV Testing Week anyone in England can order a free test from www.freetesting.hiv 

Northumberland County Councillor Veronica Jones, cabinet member for Public Health said: “We are happy to support the National HIV Testing Week. Testing and early diagnosis gives people the best chance of living full and healthy lives and reduces the risk of unknowingly passing on the infection to someone else.  

"The Northumberland Sexual Health Service will be raising awareness of HIV testing in Cramlington Manor Walks on Thursday 13th February (10am –12pm) and there is also lots of online training available for anyone who is interested.” 

The free training available from Northumberland County Council includes: 

• HIV/AIDS Awareness aims to provide a knowledge, skills and understanding on HIV/AIDS, screening, treatment and prevention, with an overview of PEP, PrEP & U=U, aimed at those with an interest in HIV/AIDS and sexual health.  
• Introduction to Sexual Health is aimed at professionals working with young people, who may be delivering sexual health education or advising young client groups.    
• Supporting Parents and Carers to Facilitate Conversations around Growing Up, Puberty, Sex and Relationships aims to support practitioners working with families, parents and carers to facilitate age-appropriate discussions around growing up, body changes, puberty, healthy relationships and sexual health.   

Anyone interested in accessing the free training courses should log in or create an account at www.ncc.learningpool.com 

To find out more about the Northumberland Sexual Health Service visit https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/sexual-health-services