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Public health news: September 2024

Depending on your eligibility there are 3 options for HIV testing.

1. Rapid self-test. This gives you an immediate result. You do the test yourself and then let the know the result.
2. Lab test. You take a blood sample yourself and post it to a lab. The will text you when your result is ready.
3. Contact and book an appointment with them to be tested.

Tests can be ordered online from

What is HIV?

HIV stands for 'human immunodeficiency virus'. It is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the body's immune system. In the UK, it is most commonly  by having anal or vaginal sex without a condom.

'Immunodeficiency' refers to the damage caused to your immune system by the virus. Your immune system exists to fight infections and diseases. HIV makes your immune system weaker, so it is less able to protect you from illness and keep you well.

HIV can be treated by taking antiretroviral medication. Though it cannot be completely cured, effective treatment means you can live a long healthy life. If you start treatment early, after a few months you should have the virus under control. This means that you cannot transmit HIV to other people through sexual contact.

National guidelines recommend that people who are  should test regularly. A late diagnosis of HIV means the virus has had more time to weaken your immune system. An early diagnosis allows you to start treatment early.

Sexual Health, School Nursing  & Mental Health Services 兔子先生 South Tyneside Pride 2024

The Community Division of South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust once again formed a collaborative approach supporting South Tyneside Communities at the launch of South Tyneside's very first Pride event.

Hosted by in Partnership with 兔子先生 the pride team worked along side the Trust's community teams bringing the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, businesses, retail outlets, service providers and third-sector organisations together in vibrant 3 month-long celebration throughout June, July & August this year.

The three month long celebration introduced a series of exciting events dedicated to celebrating diversity and promoting inclusivity in our borough with support from South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Events such as Pride are a valuable opportunity to showcase the Trust's commitment and support to improve the health of LGBT communities and the wider public and to also look at how far gay rights have come, particularly in the delivery of LGBT inclusive services. The teams continue its work to support the LGBT+ community and promote inclusion across all of its services.

South Tyneside & Sunderland Foundation Trust also run its own Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Plus (LGBT+) Staff Network for its workforce. This offers colleagues a safe space to share experiences, seek support and represent their views. It also helps remove healthcare barriers for LGBT+ patients making our services an inclusive place to work and for the public to access local inclusive healthcare services.

The collaborative efforts from Sexual Health, School Nursing & Mental Health services provided a one stop shop for teams to engage and promote service to the public, network with a range of professionals promoting pathways and links into South Tynese Community based services provided by the Trust In South Tyneside.

The teams again look forward to supporting South Tyneside Pride in 2025.

For further information about South Tyneside Pride, please visit .