Sexual health testing has never been more accessible – depending on your needs you can now get tested at The Rainbow Project, at home or at your local GUM clinic. Below we have provided more details on the different options to support you in accessing the testing that is right for you.
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Rapid HIV & Syphilis or Gonorrhea Testing
We provide free, confidential & non-judgemental rapid HIV & syphilis testing at our Belfast and Foyle centres Monday to Thursday 10AM-5PM by appointment.
For more details on our rapid Gonorrhea testing service (currently only available at our Belfast centre) click here
Book A Rapid HIV & Syphilis or Gonorrhea Test
For more details or to book an appointment:
Call
- 028 90 319 030 (Belfast)
- 028 71 283 030 (Foyle, HIV & Syphilis testing ONLY)
Text/Call
- 07904 864 861
- leo@rainbow-project.org
Online
Click here to learn more about our rapid HIV & syphilis testing service.
Drop-in Rapid HIV & Syphilis or Gonorrhea Testing
Drop-in rapid HIV & syphilis testing (i.e no appointment necessary) is available once per month at:
Belfast LGBT Centre: 2nd Tuesday of every month (excluding July) 5PM-8PM
You do not need to book an appointment for a drop-in clinic but if you’re travelling from outside of Belfast and would like to reserve a space please contact Leo Lardie.
SH:24 Free self-test kit for full STI screening at home
SH:24 in partnership with the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts provide at home self-sampling kits which allow you to test for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Please visit https://sh24.org.uk/ to order your free kit today.
It takes 3-4 working days for your self-test kit to arrive. Once you’ve completed your samples, send in the free-post envelope provided. You will then receive your results via text in 7 days.
If you would like to order an SH:24 test kit but are concerned about receiving confidential deliveries to your home or work address you can order your delivery to be sent to:
The Rainbow Project
23 – 31 Waring Street
Belfast
BT1 2DX
Just please contact Leo Lardie (contact details above) once you’ve ordered so we know how to contact you to let you know when it’s available to pick up during office hours.
Book an appointment at your local GUM clinic
If you have symptoms of an STI (or are unable to complete an SH:24 self-test kit due to a physical disability) you can book an appointment at your local GUM clinic. There are a range of clinics and services available across Northern Ireland including:
- Belfast Trust (Royal Victoria Hospital):
- Call 028 96 15 2111 (Mon-Friday 8.15am-10.15am)
- Northern Trust (Coleraine, Ballymena & Magherafelt):
- Call 028 7034 6028
- Western Trust (Altnagelvin & Omagh):
- Call 028 71 61 1269 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.00pm)
- Southern Trust (Jon Mitchell Place, Craigavon & Portadown):
- Call 028 37 56 2080 (Mon & Weds 9am-4pm and Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am-12pm)
- South-Eastern Trust (Bangor, Downpatrick & Lisburn):
- Call 028 44 83 8133 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
Under 25?
To use our rapid HIV & syphilis testing service you must be at least eighteen years old.
If you’re younger than 18 we would recommend visiting either:
- The Young Person’s Sexual Health Clinic in Crumlin Road Health Centre (94-100 Crumlin Road, BT14 6AR) every Wednesday 2PM-5PM that provides STI testing, treatment, PEP, PrEP and advice or support. No appointment necessary, just walk in!
- Common Youth (23-31 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 DX) who provide counselling, emergency contraception, pregnancy & STI testing, STI treatment.
- Health Hub in Southern Regional Colleges for ages 16-25 including Newry East, Dungannon, Armagh, Banbridge, Greenbank/Model, Portadown & Lurgan. Offering advice, information STI testing, contraception and more.