Sexual infections tests by text

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Young people in the borough can now test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea at home by requesting kits via text message.

Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust (HMRPCT) is providing the service as part of a Greater Manchester-wide Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea screening programme called ‘RU Clear?’.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are sexually transmitted infections (STI) which are treatable with antibiotics. If they are left untreated they can cause infertility for both women and men. More than 1 in 10 young people tested in Greater Manchester have been found to have Chlamydia.

Anyone aged between 15-25 years old can have a free STI screening in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

Testing at home has been introduced because many young people are still worried about the stigma of attending a clinic. The RU Clear programme wants to break down the barriers of STI testing and encourage young people to look after their sexual health.

“We want to make having a test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea as hassle free as possible and so there are lots of different ways locally to get a test,” said Cath Hayes, Sexual Health Improvement Specialist for HMRPCT.

“These infections don’t have any symptoms so it’s really important that young people have tests- it is the only way to detect them.

"It’s also important for people to use condoms to reduce the risk of getting an STI in the first place.

"We will be holding screening events around the Borough over the summer months so people will be able to come along and have a test there too.”

To receive a testing kit, text 'TEST' followed by your name and address to 84010. A couple of days later you will receive an NHS test in the post. Then all you have to do is just wee in a pot, fill out a form and put the test back in the post. Test results will be available within a week.