Sexual Health London Home testing service

[drwho]

Really impressed after trying this service for the first time.

In the past I've attended the walk in appointments at my local GUM clinic. The waits are extremely tedious and the opening hours are hard to create an alibi at times even if off work on the day.
Went to check my local clinic's website and saw a link to
External Link/Members Only
(Sexual Health London - hence my decision to put this on the London board)

You fill in your details (in my case using a fake name but my real address and phone number)
You set up an account and fill out a check list of the sorts of sexual contact you've enjoyed.
This determines the type of testing kit they send you.

Impressively my kit was in my postbox the next morning.
A discreet plain white plastic sealed small box.
Addressed to the fake name of course so might actually attract more suspicion to married punters if you choose to use a fake name.
Inside is a cardboard box with plastic phials for blood and urine.
Blood collection is by making a prick to the fingertip with a specially  designed and supplied lance that releases a small spring loaded spike.
This addresses another problem I have at the regular clinic where a conventional syringe collected blood sample often leaves a suspicious bruise behind.

Put the sealed blood and urine samples back in the cardboard box and seal with the supplied tape. They even supply a little map of your nearest local postboxes.

I posted on the saturday and got a text confirming receipt on the Wednesday. By 5pm a further text to say the results are available.
These are obtained by logging on to shl.uk with your account details.
Negatives all round I'm pleased to say.

It's worth mentioning that they also give you an option to order online but pick up the test kit at your local clinic if you don't want it to arrive in the post.

[jok32]

Same as sh24 isn't it

[LLPunting]

And I so trust an NHS website to be secure!

I'd rather go to a clinic and run the chance that some admin emails a batch email in the open 

Thanks for the info. 

[MajorPayne]

Had the test a few weeks ago - used all the supplied needles and spent nearly half an hour squeezing out enough blood for the tests.   Hoped the wife wouldn't notice the gaping holes in the fingers oozing blood . . . .

[peter purves]

Cheers for a very useful and informative post. good to hear the results when in your favour also

Is the service free?

[Dark_Gable]

Is the service free?

Yes, I think you are limited to 4 free tests a year.

[drwho]

Yes its a free service and I don't see any mention of any limits to the number of tests a year, though I'm unlikely to use it more than 4 times a year anyway.

It's not appropriate if you have any symptoms at the time though when it's best to book a consultation at a clinic.

It's not for everyone but I was impressed so thought it was worth bringing attention to the service

[Browneyes]

Thanks for the info. Just a quick question, does the pack they send fit through a standard letter box or is there a risk it might be left with a neighbour if no one at home to accept the package?

[Dark_Gable]

Thanks for the info. Just a quick question, does the pack they send fit through a standard letter box or is there a risk it might be left with a neighbour if no one at home to accept the package?

It’s very compact and fits through a standard letterbox

[thecat250]

Thanks for the info. Just a quick question, does the pack they send fit through a standard letter box or is there a risk it might be left with a neighbour if no one at home to accept the package?

Yes, the packs are designed to especially fit through the letter box for that reason and as expected discreet packaging. You'll get texted when it gets posted out to you, reminder text to send back and final text to let you know when results are ready.

I also used them earlier this year, it's a good service for convenience if anything else. The walk-ins are a real PITA needing to take half a day off work! 

[Hobbit]

Thanks for this information. This will make my life so much easier, hate having to take half a day off work to get a test done.

[drwho]

Yes, hope the info is useful

On a related note I was chatting to a punter after a gangbang today who was relaying his experiences of the German party scene.
Apparently there are some establishments that take blood samples from punters as they enter before processing them on site and (hopefully) giving them the green light to proceed.

I couldn't imagine (or trust) any of the London party providers to carry out anything requiring that sort of level of precision 

[LLPunting]

Yes, hope the info is useful

On a related note I was chatting to a punter after a gangbang today who was relaying his experiences of the German party scene.
Apparently there are some establishments that take blood samples from punters as they enter before processing them on site and (hopefully) giving them the green light to proceed.

I couldn't imagine (or trust) any of the London party providers to carry out anything requiring that sort of level of precision 

The HIV test is a simple pinprick and then wait for the indicator, hardly taxing even for a doorman.
Don't know about any quick tests for other STIs but they involved swabs and pissing in a pot, again hardly rocket science to take those and use with reactants. 
Could do with @Tailseeker for this one.

[TailSeeker]

The HIV test is a simple pinprick and then wait for the indicator, hardly taxing even for a doorman.
Don't know about any quick tests for other STIs but they involved swabs and pissing in a pot, again hardly rocket science to take those and use with reactants. 
Could do with @Tailseeker for this one.

Home tests can be accurate, but it is important to realise the amount of blood they take won't cover most tests (I think anyone who has done both can agree the amount of blood they take is quite different).

Also if you're engaging in RO, you're not doing a mouth swab, so it won't pick up something there.

Home tests will usually be more limited in what they will test. Granted you guys can't be tested for some things (HPV) as the test just doesn't exist with blood work, only a tissue sample.

A home test can be useful, however realise it's potential limitations, the pin prick test is just for HIV, unless you have multiple it will not cover syphilis and Hep B. And urine will only cover what effects your dick.

It can be very useful as a stop gap between gum clinic visits (and word to the group, if you are seeing at least one WG a month, you should be getting testing once a month, if you're seeing every 3 months go every 1.5/2 months, etc).

The NHS is good, but do be aware the home kits do not cover everything. Also, if you're worried about the bruise from the blood draw two big excuses - annual health check (they should draw blood) or a blood donation drive (can donate multiple times in a year).

[Steve2]

Yes, hope the info is useful

On a related note I was chatting to a punter after a gangbang today who was relaying his experiences of the German party scene.
Apparently there are some establishments that take blood samples from punters as they enter before processing them on site and (hopefully) giving them the green light to proceed.

I couldn't imagine (or trust) any of the London party providers to carry out anything requiring that sort of level of precision 

The only German parties that I know take blood tests are the BB ones and the film shoots

[TailSeeker]

Yes, hope the info is useful

On a related note I was chatting to a punter after a gangbang today who was relaying his experiences of the German party scene.
Apparently there are some establishments that take blood samples from punters as they enter before processing them on site and (hopefully) giving them the green light to proceed.

I couldn't imagine (or trust) any of the London party providers to carry out anything requiring that sort of level of precision 

That is going to have bollocks all accuracy. Any STDs picked up less than 4 to 6 weeks beforehand won't show up (for others longer varying on the tests done).

Nice that they do it, but it is just window dressing. Unless everyone swears off sex for at least 6 weeks, it won't be accurate for their current status.

[Buzz666]

I used SH24 before and it was a banging serv

[jok32]

Checked out shl and they don't give you the choice to opt out of bloods which is annoying

[tantraman]

Really impressed after trying this service for the first time.

In the past I've attended the walk in appointments at my local GUM clinic. The waits are extremely tedious and the opening hours are hard to create an alibi at times even if off work on the day.
Went to check my local clinic's website and saw a link to
External Link/Members Only
(Sexual Health London - hence my decision to put this on the London board)

You fill in your details (in my case using a fake name but my real address and phone number)
You set up an account and fill out a check list of the sorts of sexual contact you've enjoyed.
This determines the type of testing kit they send you.

Impressively my kit was in my postbox the next morning.
A discreet plain white plastic sealed small box.
Addressed to the fake name of course so might actually attract more suspicion to married punters if you choose to use a fake name.
Inside is a cardboard box with plastic phials for blood and urine.
Blood collection is by making a prick to the fingertip with a specially  designed and supplied lance that releases a small spring loaded spike.
This addresses another problem I have at the regular clinic where a conventional syringe collected blood sample often leaves a suspicious bruise behind.

Put the sealed blood and urine samples back in the cardboard box and seal with the supplied tape. They even supply a little map of your nearest local postboxes.

I posted on the saturday and got a text confirming receipt on the Wednesday. By 5pm a further text to say the results are available.
These are obtained by logging on to shl.uk with your account details.
Negatives all round I'm pleased to say.

It's worth mentioning that they also give you an option to order online but pick up the test kit at your local clinic if you don't want it to arrive in the post.

Just bumping this most worthy and useful post, as I've just tried it. Quite superb service!

Very discreet ... used fake name and email ... kit posted home under fake name (we get a lot of junk mail and wrongly delivered post, so are often doing "Return to Sender" ... which is fortunately my job!) ... easy finger-prick blood (for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B testing) and urine (for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing) collection ... posted back ... results alerted via email, and checked via SHL website (External Link/Members Only) ... brilliant!

[Waterhouse]

Just bumping this most worthy and useful post, as I've just tried it. Quite superb service!

Very discreet ... used fake name and email ... kit posted home under fake name (we get a lot of junk mail and wrongly delivered post, so are often doing "Return to Sender" ... which is fortunately my job!) ... easy finger-prick blood (for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B testing) and urine (for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing) collection ... posted back ... results alerted via email, and checked via SHL website (External Link/Members Only) ... brilliant!

Cheers, TM... and for the inadvertent tip (wrong name/address).  One obvious question just for the sake of clarity, I'm assuming all packaging is clear ans inconspicuous... i.e. no one would have a clue what it was that had just been delivered?

I may try this some time, but at present my local(ish) clinic is great... I was in an out in just under half an hour last week despite turning up 25 mins early before my booked appointment.  I was very impressed.  Thinking back I've never had to wait very long at all for any of my pre-booked appointments there.

[tantraman]

Hey Yondu616

... One obvious question just for the sake of clarity, I'm assuming all packaging is clear ans inconspicuous... i.e. no one would have a clue what it was that had just been delivered? ...

Yes, for sure ... a small brown envelope-sized box, easily fed through any letterbox ... no conspicuous markings or addresses ... looks like an Amazon delivery.

The OH actually left it in amongst other post on my desk, as she always does ... she must've noted a wrong name, and simply left it as yet another "Return to Sender" jobbie for me.

[Waterhouse]

Hey Yondu616

Yes, for sure ... a small brown envelope-sized box, easily fed through any letterbox ... no conspicuous markings or addresses ... looks like an Amazon delivery.

The OH actually left it in amongst other post on my desk, as she always does ... she must've noted a wrong name, and simply left it as yet another "Return to Sender" jobbie for me.

Thanks for confirming, TM. 

I think I'll have to pre-emptively create and volunteer for a new job in my house now. 

Cheers. 

[drwho]

To confirm - yes there is an annual limit to these tests through shl.uk

I did one late August, then October and also December 2018
When I requested another consultation last week I was informed that I'd exceeded my annual allocation and I'd have to attend a clinic.
Fortunately I was able to do this and managed to book an appointment to much reduce the waiting time compared to the walk in standard.

I also looked at sh24 but my area doesn't participate.
The sh24 site linked to a charging service but getting the full tests would have been in excess of £100 so I decided on visiting the local clinic.

I'd still recommend shl.uk but make sure you leave 3 months between ordering tests otherwise they lock you out

[testuser]

I really like the idea of that although it's not available in my area .

I keep finding when I attend places for a check it's very often I'm seen by an experienced doctor/nurse and a trainee. It's really annoying because they're with the trainee they're pushing on checking everything, every orifice. For example nothing has touched my butt but they insist on swabbing it. The only reason I can imagine being so the trainee gets to watch. This has happened several times.

They also like to be persistent with asking for details that aren't pertinent. It's not complex, these orifices have seen action, please test them. But then they want to know what kind of action, what your sexual habits are, what kind of sexual encounters you have.

Then they always give you this moisturising cream like it's some kind of disturbing consolation prize or like giving a lollipop like when you go get your inoculations.

Relevant question, hows the blood taken? Edit: Seems to be clicker, which it potentially limited in terms of preservation and quantity but I guess does the job otherwise.

For HIV tests you can get kits that will work at home in 15 minutes with a little finger clicker for the blood (like the things for diabetes insulin/sugar levels home tests a couple of decades ago), don't even need to send them back. Not sure how a bareback escort would respond though if you took one to a meeting . Plus it's not effective during an early period when they might have caught it, might be contagious but not yet have the antibodies that mark it (usually takes 3 months) so I'd urge caution with that.

[Waterhouse]

I really like the idea of that although it's not available in my area .

I keep finding when I attend places for a check it's very often I'm seen by an experienced doctor/nurse and a trainee. It's really annoying because they're with the trainee they're pushing on checking everything, every orifice. For example nothing has touched my butt but they insist on swabbing it. The only reason I can imagine being so the trainee gets to watch. This has happened several times.

They also like to be persistent with asking for details that aren't pertinent. It's not complex, these orifices have seen action, please test them. But then they want to know what kind of action, what your sexual habits are, what kind of sexual encounters you have.

Then they always give you this moisturising cream like it's some kind of disturbing consolation prize or like giving a lollipop like when you go get your inoculations.

Relevant question, hows the blood taken? Edit: Seems to be clicker, which it potentially limited in terms of preservation and quantity but I guess does the job otherwise.

For HIV tests you can get kits that will work at home in 15 minutes with a little finger clicker for the blood (like the things for diabetes insulin/sugar levels home tests a couple of decades ago), don't even need to send them back. Not sure how a bareback escort would respond though if you took one to a meeting . Plus it's not effective during an early period when they might have caught it, might be contagious but not yet have the antibodies that mark it (usually takes 3 months) so I'd urge caution with that.

I've never had a problem with experience when visiting a Gum.  I used to use Jefferiss at St Mary's in Paddington (close to the workplace) but the wait times were the worst.  The nurses there seemed to know their onions though.

I now use a closer to home clinic and pre-book the week before - usually in and out between 30 to 40 mins. When booking I request to see a doctor rather than a nurse or "technician", that way I know I will (potentially) be seeing someone with more experience and/or knowledge/expertise in the area. At least that's how it's worked for me over the last year or more.

[testuser]

I've never had a problem with experience when visiting a Gum.  I used to use Jefferiss at St Mary's in Paddington (close to the workplace) but the wait times were the worst.  The nurses there seemed to know their onions though.

I now use a closer to home clinic and pre-book the week before - usually in and out between 30 to 40 mins. When booking I request to see a doctor rather than a nurse or "technician", that way I know I will (potentially) be seeing someone with more experience and/or knowledge/expertise in the area. At least that's how it's worked for me over the last year or more.

It's probably just me and my awkwardness, strange luck as well as suspiciously observant but with a sense of humour perspective (an unhealthy attraction to tragic comedy). In spite of all that like anyone else the worse thing by far is having to take off half a day for what need only be a fifteen minute checkup.

The cream thing is bizarre. Try as hard as I might they insist on your taking it. It's like Mrs Doyle and her cup of tea only it's a tub of cream instead for your groin. I mean if they tested me and found something I could understand some cream for that but no negative or positive here's a tub of cream anyway! Everyone's a winner! No matter the result you'll get the cream! I now have a stack of this stuff. It's like a little leaning tower of Pisa in the corner of my room. It's like the AOL CDs of the Gum clinic. I don't need to show girls my certs any more I just direct their gaze towards the scale model recreation of the Giza pyramids I've now built out of these things and they know I'm legit.

[drwho]

The business with handing out the cream seems bizarre. Maybe the idea is to use it as a wank lube to reduce your exposure.

Don"t know what area you're in Testuser but you could try sh24.org.uk

According to the website they operate in
Bradford
County Durham
Darlington
Derbyshire
East Berkshire
Essex
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Hillingdon
Knowsley
Medway
Shropshire
Staffordshire
Telford and WrekinWorcestershire.

The chargeable home testing service is
External Link/Members Only
You order and pay separately for each test so you could opt to only test for HIV for £21 for example.
To make it worthwhile I would want to test for Chlamydia, Gonerea, HIV and Syphilis urine and blood...which would cost £60, or £90 with a throat swab.

I haven't gone down this route but it might be worth considering if a trip to the clinic becomes out of the question

[thecat250]

Just received my SHL home testing kit. Has the usually blood and urine sample kit, but now includes an oral swab and rectal swab

Anyone else that uses this service get this? My last home test was about 9 months ago and I haven't changed my details (sexual preference etc) really not looking forward to the sticking the swap up my own arse!

[Jonestown]

Just received my SHL home testing kit. Has the usually blood and urine sample kit, but now includes an oral swab and rectal swab

Anyone else that uses this service get this? My last home test was about 9 months ago and I haven't changed my details (sexual preference etc) really not looking forward to the sticking the swap up my own arse!

yes, I did it a month back and got the swabs, seems to be standard now.

just don't stick it in too far, you'll be fine.

[The888]

If you rock up to Dean Street clinic and are registered with the sevice they give you a kit there and then.

Saves getting it posted to you....

[thecat250]

yes, I did it a month back and got the swabs, seems to be standard now.

just don't stick it in too far, you'll be fine.

Thanks I was fearing that might be the case. Will see how it goes but might have to revert to clinic visits if too much of an ordeal.

[Jonestown]

Thanks I was fearing that might be the case. Will see how it goes but might have to revert to clinic visits if too much of an ordeal.

compared to the blood sample its a doddle.

[Sullivan]

I got it done recently.

I've been out of the game for a while, limiting my punting to overseas after such shit service in London.

I was at an Fkk, and the RLD in Nuremberg in May, but have touched nothing since.

I hooked up with a girl on tinder and she got me to do the test before we would stop using condoms so I got it done and am all in the clear. Glad to know.

Has anyone ever had anything come back positive?

[Baxter63]

Surely you shove your finger up your arse and give it a thorough wash, before a punt, thecat250? Can't see the difference.   

Just as well you don't have to visit a doctor or pharmacy in France -  taking medicines anally is still common. Even for things like ibuprofen and paracetamol. Medicines react quicker, that way. And you need to get the suppository a good way up. Maybe a couple of inches.

 

[jabberwok]

The sexual health clinic in Camberwell..just up from nandos.. is a walk in service where you register onscreen then go to reception where they give you the testing pack there and then... Blood and urine if I remember correctly ...post it and again if I remember correctly they text you the results....simple

[richardlbym]

I notice Sexual Health London will only give you a test if you live in the London boroughs that participate in the scheme.  But if you collect from Dean Street, what is stopping you using a fake address?

[The888]

Used it a few times. Bloody brilliant.

If your worried about it arriving in the mail, pre order a collect from Dean Street or one of the hubs (look online)

[The888]

I notice Sexual Health London will only give you a test if you live in the London boroughs that participate in the scheme.  But if you collect from Dean Street, what is stopping you using a fake address?

Absolutely nothing.....apparently I live in Mayfair.