Sexual Health Screening and Treatment

Powys Sexual Health Service have been working with Public Health Wales, Signum Health, and Health Boards across Wales to increase access to STI screening through this Welsh Government-funded project.

From the 28th May 2020, test kits for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C has been available by all Powys residents over the ages of 16 via the Frisky Wales website https://www.friskywales.org.  Service users are able to work through the platform answering a number of relevant questions related to sexual health and obtain relevant information regarding local services. Kits are posted to the users for home use and are returned to the laboratory for processing.  All negative results are texted to the individual, whilst those with positive results or identified as having safeguarding issues are contacted by a Powys Sexual Health Practitioner for any necessary treatment and care.

User feedback from the Hywel Dda pilot project has been overwhelming regarding the effectiveness of the service in terms of reducing waiting times at the drop-in clinics, reduced anxiety/embarrassment about visiting a sexual health clinic and being able to self-test in their own time, for instance.  Public Health Wales and Powys Sexual Health Services will continue to monitor uptake across the county, working as part of the national project which will inform future service provision.