The New Zealand trial of a new rapid HIV test has lead to a big increase in Aucklanders going for testing. The FASTEST (Free, Anonymous, Simple Test), giving results within 20 minutes, will again be available when Auckland's Burnett Centre reopens on Monday 8th January. Eamonn Smythe, the NZ AIDS Foundation's National Positive Health Manager, says the rapid testing trial at the Burnett Centre has been going “extremely well”. “Approximately 50 tests were done in the first three weeks. This is a big increase over a similar period last year - around 54 tests were done between December 2005 and February 2006. GayNZ.com has heard from a number of people questioning why the Burnett Centre was not open for testing and counseling over the Christmas period, a time when more people have time free to get tests they've been needing for a while. Smythe responds, “We haven't been aware in the past of a great demand for an HIV testing service over the Christmas/New Year period, which is traditionally the lowest testing period of the year. “The new rapid test is a trial, and we're keen to hear feedback on all aspects of it. If people want the service to be open over Christmas or after hours, we'll look at it. There are a number of issues, including staffing numbers, that will have to be resolved in order to provide an expanded service so we would need to be confident that there is a demand for it.” For those who cannot make appointments during working hours, the Burnett Centre is open late on Mondays until 8pm, and two more late nights are planned in the foreseeable future. The NZAF also hopes to introduce rapid testing to its centres in Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch this year. BURNETT CENTRE CONTACT DETAILS: 1/3 Poynton Tce, Auckland Ph (09) 309 5560 Fax (09) 302 2338 Email: contact.burnett@nzaf.org.nz Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 4th January 2007 - 12:00pm