In recent years, the UK has seen significant strides in making health testing more accessible to the public, leading to a remarkable 31% increase in sexual health screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV between 2015 and 2019 in England alone.
Below, we share some of the improvements helping to break down barriers and encourage more people to take charge of their sexual health.
Postal self-sampling kits
One of the most significant advancements in health testing accessibility has been the introduction of online postal self-sampling (OPSS) services. These allow individuals to order test kits for conditions like chlamydia online and collect samples in the privacy of their own homes. The samples are then mailed back for analysis, eliminating the need for in-person clinic visits.
This approach has been particularly beneficial for those who may feel uncomfortable attending sexual health clinics due to stigma or embarrassment. It has also made testing more convenient for people with busy schedules or those living in rural areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.
Vending machines
In an innovative move, some areas in the UK have introduced vending machines that dispense HIV and STI test kits in public settings. This approach provides increased convenience and confidentiality, as users can obtain test kits 24/7 in easily accessible locations, without interacting with healthcare staff.
Vending machines have helped sexual health testing reach individuals who might not have sought testing otherwise. For instance, a 2022 study found that 68% of people using vending machines for HIV and STI test kits hadn’t been tested in the previous year, while 59% had never been tested before.
Digital result delivery
The digitisation of test result delivery has been another crucial step in improving health testing accessibility. Instead of waiting for results by post or having to return to a clinic, many services now offer results via text message, email or through secure online portals.
This approach enhances anonymity and speeds up the process, allowing individuals to receive results more quickly. The efficiency of digital delivery can also reduce the anxiety associated with waiting for results and enable faster access to treatment if needed. Moreover, it has improved overall process efficiency for healthcare providers, allowing them to manage a higher volume of tests.
The need for greater accessibility
The UK has made significant improvements in public sexual health through the accessibility strategies we’ve outlined above, increasing the number of people getting tested and even reaching populations that have historically been underserved.
However, it’s important to note that there are still challenges to address. Some studies have found that the uptake of online services appears to be socially patterned, with certain high-risk groups underrepresented among users. Additionally, return rates for postal kits can be low, especially for blood samples.
Ongoing efforts are needed to improve accessibility further and ensure that these services reach all the population segments who need them.
