A brief snapshot will be provided of “ Testing Point”, a new Healthy Communities’ community based clinical service that aims to provide a Medicare bulk billing after hours HIV/STI testing to the LGBT community on a weekly basis.
Method: Testing Point is operated by volunteer nurses and volunteer private GPs drawn from the community who work collaboratively with health educators and promoters to create a unique peer based service. The service provides comprehensive STI testing using private pathology services and Medicare. There is also the option for people to take part in a trial of the Alere Determine Rapid HIV Test, and results are made available to persons within 20 minutes. This trial has allowed for Point of Care (POC) HIV testing to be available within a community non-clinical setting supported by peer based health workers. The clinic operates as both an appointment or walk-in service operating every Tuesday evening.
Results: Over the 7 months the clinic has been operating, over 50 individuals have been seen. During that period, 1 cases of HIV, 2 cases of syphilis, 1 cases of gonorrhea have been detected. 49 POC HIV tests have been administered, returning 1 new diagnosis. Of the people tested through this clinic over 12% have never had a previous HIV test.
Conclusion: The Testing Point Clinic operated by Healthy Communities is demonstrating a significant role for community controlled sexual health services and the viability of community/ private partnerships. The ease with which POC HIV testing has been administered within this non clinical setting provides a foundation for future community and peer based testing programs.
