World Aids Day on the 1st December marks the introduction of a new more accessible HIV testing service on the Isle of Wight.  As the first of its kind in England, Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, will be opening it.

The British Red Cross have commissioned a survey for World AIDS Day 2009 of 16-25-year-olds in the UK, which showed that 85 per cent know you cannot catch HIV from a kiss. Despite this, 69 per cent still wouldn’t kiss someone with HIV.

What would it take for you to kiss someone with HIV? If Konnie Huq was HIV positive, would you kiss her?

Felicity Young, Consultant Nurse for the Sexual Health Service at St. Mary’s Hospital, said:

“HIV is a virus which attacks and damages the immune system over a period of time. People with the virus may become susceptible to illnesses that a healthy immune system would be able to fight off. With approximately 7,000 people newly diagnosed in the UK last year, it is vital that everyone, young and old, understands what HIV is and the action they need to take to stop the spread.“

The HIV testing service on the Isle of Wight will be available at eight pharmacy sites across the Island. Anyone who tests positive for HIV at a community pharmacy will be offered a fast track referral to the Sexual Health Service at St Mary’s Hospital for further testing and treatment, if required.

Community pharmacies on the Island are also continuing to offer free, confidential blood spot testing for Hepatitis B and C to anyone who thinks they are at risk. These viruses are often referred to as ’blood borne viruses’ as they are carried in the blood and are transmitted by blood to blood contact. Left untreated, they can also cause serious health problems. Pharmacists also play an important part in educating the public regarding safe sex and prevention of infections like syphilis and gonorrhoea.

“We continue to develop our pharmacy service on the Island and are always looking to work with external partners to improve patient access to services and expand on the successful work of pharmacies on the Isle of Wight,” said Kevin Noble, Community Pharmacy Lead at NHS Isle of Wight. “We want to ensure the Island community can easily access the services they need and by offering testing at community pharmacies we are able to make them much more accessible for everyone.”

Kate Suitor, who is part of Isle of Wight Council’s Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) Care Manager (HIV Services), said:

“The DAAT have fully supported this pilot and acknowledge the unique relationship pharmacists have with those who use their service. This ease of access has improved the delivery of blood borne virus services on the Isle of Wight.

“The addition of HIV testing is a positive step forward to detect infections for those who may not access other services. It is also hoped that there will be a reduction in the stigma & discrimination that surrounds HIV.”