Not too long ago I got in touch with my local GUM clinic and was told that they’re sending people to book appointments through [SH:24](https://sh24.ie), a service with the HSE in partnership with the NHS.
They offer at-home STI testing; sent via discrete packaging and gives people the possibility to provide testing depending on their biological sex. As a man, it was a urine sample and a blood sample. Both of which came with easy to follow guidance.
The package comes with a paid-postage envelope, so you can put everything directly into a postbox without worrying about going through a post office – the envelope is labelled as a biological sample.
Results took about two weeks in the form of a text message and they test for HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.
Edit to add:
They do advise that if you’re in need of emergency STI testing, then you should still go through the clinics or even the hospital.
Edit edit:
Few people have asked about the blood sample. [Here’s the instructions on how to take it](https://youtu.be/vZ95tnbcexs), which gives you an indication on things like needle size.
It does contain blood in the clip, so maybe give it a skip if you’re squeamish.
12 comments
Are you just boasting that you had sex??
Great service
I heard of it through Reddit first day, haven’t used it but I think it should be advertised more! Sexual health is so important and should be normalised!
This actually sounds great offering.
I was always flabbergasted when I was at college (many moons ago) at the lack of discreet and accessible STI testing. You had to go sit in the GUMS clinic and get a blood test.
In the UK they pretty widely offered anonymous STI urine testing, so I thought we were missing a trick here.
It’s a fantastic service.
Intriguing! I’m squeamish as feck – how does the self blood sample work out?
Great stuff. Testing should be common place and without stigma.
Personally I go to the GUIDE clinic every 3 months. I’m on PrEP so I need to get tested that regularly to clear to me keep taking PrEP. I get my prescription from them then too.
The mail-in thing is a great idea! Hopefully this will encourage more people to get an STI test, and to get them regularly.
Used them myself back in Feb. Kit was lost the first time around, but the second time it went grand. Piss easy test and fast results.
I personally love it, because you get confirmation sent to your phone, it offers proof to anyone who wants it.
I used it months ago. It’s class! I even stepped on a part and broke it so I just text them to ask for that bit to be sent out to me. It’s so handy! Last time I had been checked was pre pandemic and it was a pain having to sit in the hospital waiting as they only did appointments 2 days per week, the rest were all walk ins.
This is a fantastic resource
I’ve shared this with my friends and ordered one for myself