A new Men’s Sexual Health Clinic is opening in West Leederville on July 19, 2010. The clinic will provide FREE and confidential Sexually Transmissible Infection (STI) testing and treatment services to men who have sex with men. The clinic will be open Monday to Friday with a mix of early morning, day and evening shifts.
The WA AIDS Council (WAAC) is enthusiastic about expanding their testing services.
The clinic will use a peer based approach with WAAC staff providing a pre and post test discussion and support, as well as relevant information and referral.
According to WAAC executive director Trish Langdon, the goal of the clinic is to provide a professional and non-judgmental service and further break some of the barriers that prevent gay men from regularly testing.
‘WAAC has been running peer based STI testing services for the past 7 years,’ Ms Langdon said. ‘We have seen a significant increase in the number of gay men being tested which has been attributed to the non-judgmental peer approach which reduces people’s hesitation about being tested. Regular testing is one of the key ways of stopping the spread of STIs and we are keen to support the community to achieve this.’
The new clinic has been set up to further increase people’s access to testing services. It is housed within a small medical facility on McCourt Street in Leederville, behind St John of God Hospital. Trish explains; ‘The new clinic is central, easy to find, with free parking but more importantly it is located in a neutral setting making it accessible to all men who have sex with men.’
It is a walk-in clinic with no appointments necessary.
For details about the clinic including opening times call Michael on 9380 4922 or visit us at www.projectx.net.au
Importantly, there will be no changes to the operation of other WAAC clinics:
• Sauna Clinic: Mondays 3-5pm & 7-9pm (anonymous, no medicare card required, drop in)
• WAAC Clinic (664 Murray St, West Perth): 9am – 4.30pm weekdays, call 9482 0000 (appointment required, byo medicare card for pathology)
• FLASH Clinic (664 Murray St, West Perth): 9am – 12.30pm Saturday’s, call 9482 0000
(drop in, byo medicare card for pathology)
• M Clinic (4/24 McCourt Street, West Leederville) call 9380 4922 (walk-in clinic with no appointments necessary)
The clinic has been set up by WAAC who received funding from the Department of Health.
Michael Atkinson
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