The home testing kit will require you to collect a finger prick sample of your blood. It’s very easy. Send the sample tube back in the freepost packet provided to be tested. You will receive either a call or a text to let you know the result. If your test comes back positive you will need to go to the clinic for blood tests to confirm the positive result.
Any orders received before 5pm Monday-Friday will be sent out first class the same day. The package is small enough to fit through most letterboxes. The result is usually available within a couple of working days of receiving the sample.
We will be there to support you. A member of the 56 Dean Street team will contact you. They will arrange a time for you to come to the clinic for a confirmation test. This is important as all HIV screening tests can occasionally give a false reactive result.
We will offer other tests that would include:
CD4 Count Test – Checks how strong your immune system is by measuring the number of CD4 cells in your blood (also known as T cell count).
Viral Load Test – Helps estimate the speed that HIV may affect your body, by measuring the amount of HIV in your blood.
People who have a positive HIV test will be offered an appointment with a specialist HIV doctor. If 56 Dean Street is not convenient we will help you find a more local clinic.
Dean Street at Home is operated by Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust. All parts of the NHS must protect the confidentiality of their users. In addition Sexual Health Clinics in the UK are protected by the '1974 Venereal Diseases Regulations' (also known as Genito-Urinary Medicine or GUM Clinics). They should not pass on information about you to a third person, including your GP, without your permission.
This website assesses your risk of HIV infection. These answers cannot be linked to identifiable information about you. If you decide to order a home HIV test kit, it will be ordered through a completely separate site operated by 'The Doctor's Laboratory' (TDL)
TDL abides by the Data Protection Act and has a duty to look after all confidential patient information. The contact details and results of HIV tests provided through the Dean Street at Home service will be available to staff at 56 Dean Street to provide ongoing care. The service has a policy of not informing others, including your GP, unless you request it. Your test pack will fit through a normal letter box and no-one has to sign for the delivery. The packaging is discreet - someone who sees your package won't know what's inside or where it's come from.
PEP involves taking anti-HIV drugs for 4 weeks to try and reduce the risk of someone getting HIV after they’ve been exposed. Studies suggest PEP can reduce the risk of HIV by up to 80%. Most experts think it works better the quicker you start it. It is available from any A&E Department or GUM clinic. It's important the medicines are started within 72 hours of HIV exposure. (Ideally within 24 hours)
After anal sex without a condom,
PEP is recommended if
You do not need PEP if -
To discuss things in person contact the Sexual Health Information Line on 0300 123 7123 or visit your local sexual health clinic . You can view the national guidelines for PEP here
56 Dean Street is an NHS sexual health and HIV clinic in the heart of Soho in central London. It is located between Old Compton Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. The service is operated by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. To view a map and details of transportation links please follow the link: www.56deanstreet.nhs.uk
If you’d prefer to get tested in a clinic, there are many Sexual Health (GUM) Clinics throughout England offering free testing. UK law states that all these clinics have to keep information you give them confidential. To find a clinic near you visit www.fpa.org.uk/findaclinic