PEOPLE who may be at risk of HIV are being urged by Somerset County Council to take a free and confidential test as part of National HIV Testing Week.

Although Somerset has a relatively small number of people with the condition Public Health are concerned with the number of adults who are being diagnosed at a late stage.

Early detection and treatment – as with many conditions – give a much better health outcome. The two groups most affected remain gay and bisexual men and black African heterosexuals and latest national figures show there were 3,650 new HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men last year. 2,490 new HIV diagnoses were acquired heterosexually and 59% of them acquired their infection in the UK.

Free and confidential tests can be obtained at the following sexual health clinics between 21st and 28th November:

GUM Clinic Musgrove Park Hospital: Monday – Friday appointments with a walk in clinic on Monday 3.30pm – 5pm and Wednesday 9am – 11am. Tel 01823 344888

GUM Clinic Yeovil District Hospital: Appointments Monday – Thursday with a walk in on Friday 9am – 11am. Tel 01935 384382

MASH Clinic Frome medical Centre: Wednesday 25th 3pm – 5pm. Tel 01373 301301

Bridgwater Hospital Saturday 28th walk in 9.30am – 11am. Tel 01823 344888

WISH Clinic Weston Super Mare Hospital: Appointments Monday – Saturday. Tel 01934 881234

GUM Clinic Bath Royal United Hospital: Appointments Monday – Friday with a walk in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.15am – 11am. Tel 01225 824617

Cllr Anna Groskop, chairman of Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board said: “Although Somerset doesn’t have high numbers of people who live with HIV we are concerned with the number of adults who are being diagnosed at a late stage of the infection. Early detection and treatment, as with many conditions, gives a much better outcome.

“Modern treatments are highly effective allowing people nowadays to live with HIV. It is so much better to get tested rather than keep putting it off. Having a National Testing week is a great opportunity to raise awareness and encourage those most at risk to take a test”.