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Author Topic: FLASH: Free HIV self tests in comfort of own home - results in 15 minutes  (Read 8655 times)

Monicamcc

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 ;D
Just want to say i used this service and found it great! Very easy to understand, in comfort of my own home and it was posted to me extremely fast and discreetly.
I am really pleased to hear how happy you, and others, were the FLASH self test. It can be a bit scary before results come through for anyone self-testing. I do offer for people to call me and the SWOP team for those who test positive to help support you and guide you to the appropriate places.
If anyone is happy for me to share any of their quotes (100% anonymously) on FLASH Twitter or FB to encourage other sex workers to use, do let me know. Otherwise I am hear to respond to any queries that anyone has. Monica
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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 :o
I just had to take advantage of this free screening kit and mine has arrived! Will do the little test this evening.

Perhaps I should read up on it more but I always thought that while the test results can come back much quicker via a clinic than they used to, an instant result with this kit scares me a little. Hopefully it is accurate.  I played the video demonstration so think I have got this right.
This can be a bit scary for anyone taking an HIV test themselves. Most people report this and it's quite normal. It is good to have this option available for convenience if needed. We are here available at SWOP team Brighton if anyone does need any support before or after testing. My details are on the site and the packaging.
In terms of accuracy, the BioSure test is 99.7% accurate after 3 months following a potential exposure to HIV. I hope the test went well and the video helped. Do send me a DM on here or to my work email address if you have any other queries: monica.mccusker@brightonoasisproject.co.uk
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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It is a bit wierd seeing the test run there and then, the packaging does advise going to the GUM if you do test positive. I know that's not much help when you are there alone, but I'm sure you'll be fine.

I mentioned the test to GUM staff, they said they do use this type of test 'in an emergency', and said they are 'very expensive' - which sounds like a reason they aren't routinely used by the NHS.
We recommend going to a GUM clinic once a reactive test (that is what a positive test is called on these kits) as they can confirm 100% if it is HIV. The test confirms 99.7% and is based on antibodies only. The GUM tests antigens and antibodies to HIV. The cost of these tests is £30 normally, and I think HIV England has funded the self-sampling tests, (where you take a larger sample yourself, send it off and get the results text to you).
We have a project grant to pay for these kits for a specific amount of time. The aim of FLASH is to find out how many sex workers are interested in taking up this option and find out their views. We hope this will help us try to lobby for future funding of this, if you feel it is worthwhile.
Monica (FLASH Coordinator)
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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Same here, I got mine yesterday. Would 100% recommend. I’ve never used any kind of home testing kit previously and I’d definitely be inclined to do a bit of research on other home kits after using this. From a convenience point of view where my time is so limited, it’s ideal.
Thanks for recommending the test giving good feedback, it means a lot.
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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Hi
I'm trying to promote the offer of free HIV self-testing kits to sex workers, identifying as female (www.flashhivtest.co.uk) . The project is is trans inclusive and translated into 6 languages to improve access for migrant sex workers.

Do you recommend any other means, apart from adverts on sex worker platforms, Twitter@FLASH_Self_Test, FB (FLASH Self-test) & here that I can reach out to more people?.

Thanks,
Monica
« Last Edit: 28 August 2018, 09:59:30 am by Monicamcc »
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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Re: FLASH: Free HIV self tests in comfort of own home - results in 15 minutes
« Reply #20 on: 04 September 2018, 09:47:20 am »
I am Monica the FLASH Coordinator working at Sex Worker Outreach Project at BOP
We are running a project called FLASH - FLexible Alternatives for Self HIV testing) https://flashhivtest.co.uk/ which offers FREE HIV self tests from the site to sex workers, identifying as women

The kits are sent by post within 5 days of order. Small spot of blood gives results in 15 minutes at home.

Confidential, easy, convenient.
We'd like feedback on user's experience of the site and test - an OPTIONAL online survey (£10 Amazon voucher for completion) is embedded in the site or can be completed in paper.
The site is translated into 6 languages to engage those women who are not from the UK.
The project is trans inclusive.

The project will run for another 3-4 months.

We have a Twitter presence (FLASH_Self_Test) and FB (FLASH Self-Test) so follow us, RT and share with others if you can.

If you are happy please share as we'd like to spread the word

Thanks

Monica (FLASH Coordinator)
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

CurlsnCurves

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Re: FLASH: Free HIV self tests in comfort of own home - results in 15 minutes
« Reply #21 on: 11 September 2018, 01:31:39 pm »
I did this test. It was easy and hassle free. Filled in the online questionnaire but never received any Amazon voucher or got contacted to do the telephone questionnaire which I stated I was happy to do also.

Monicamcc

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Re: FLASH: Free HIV self tests in comfort of own home - results in 15 minutes
« Reply #22 on: 11 September 2018, 01:37:35 pm »
I did this test. It was easy and hassle free. Filled in the online questionnaire but never received any Amazon voucher or got contacted to do the telephone questionnaire which I stated I was happy to do also.
Hi,
 I am so sorry that you didn't receive your Amazon voucher. I do check the online survey site each day to arrange Amazon payments. If you would like to contact me at monica.mccusker@brightonoasisproject.co.uk with your email address for payment I can arrange that today.
I haven't contacted the people who will take part in the 1-1 interviews yet. I'll only be able to interview a sample of the people who have applied, so I can't guarantee you will be chosen. I plan to start interviews in late Sept through to Nov time.
I am glad you found it easy and hassle free, good to hear.
Monica
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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Hi

We have been running the FLASH website as a pilot to find out what sex workers think of this option of testing for HIV.
We differ from self-sampling by: smaller amount of blood, easier, results in front of you in 15 minutes

We have had around 55 orders since July launch and the summary responses in survey are overwhelmingly positive: 
They found the FLASH test:
convenient, easy to use, felt more in control, discrete, confident doing it and aware where to get support with a positive result

We are running this FLASH pilot until December. The more people that trial this method (and give us feedback) the more likely it is we may be able to get funding to extend this service.
So if you can spread the word (here and elsewhere) if you have tried it or not, that would be great.

Surveys are optional, take 5 mins,  and can be done online after testing. We offer a £10 Amazon voucher for each one.

The website has been translated into 5 other languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Romanian and Chinese, so do pass this option on to those whose first language isn't English. Surveys are in these languages too and interpreters available.

Any concerns drop me a line on this thread and I'll respond. My details are on the website too @flashhivetest.co.uk - we are on Twitter too and follow us for updates.

Thanks for any support and thanks for those who have shared their experience on this forum.

Monica
FLASH Coordinator
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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Hi there,

Thanks to the 60 sex workers who have tried the FLASH test. Over a 1/3 of you have done the survey (£10 Amazon voucher) and the responses have been overwhelmingly positive, which is great to hear.

I am sure many of you have your regular agency you attend to keep your STI testing up to date. However, I am aware that many women work in areas of the UK less well served by these services.

If you know of anyone who you think might be keen to try this way of testing out, please could you share in your private groups (Whats App, FB) or just by texting the link to them./https://flashhivtest.co.uk/

We hope as many sex workers, identifying as female, as possible are aware of this option for HIV testing.
Offer end at end of Jan 19
Thanks for your support, feedback and sharing.

Monica

monica.mccusker@brightonoasisproject.co.uk
07718 126508
« Last Edit: 14 November 2018, 09:53:18 am by Monicamcc »
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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We have had lots of really good feedback from the women/trans women that have ordered and tried the FLASH HIV test so far.

I know many women found out about FLASH on SAAFE. I really value this space for services like ours (Sex Worker Outreach Project Brighton) to promote the things on offer.

If anyone you know, or reading, this hasn't had an HIV test lately - It's National HIV Testing Week, so order a kit from https://flashhivtest.co.uk/order-your-test/ the kit will be with you in a few days.

Results within 15 minutes of you testing. Small spot of blood.
Convenient, Anonymous, Confidential, Easy, Quick and testing a new services for sex workers.

Kit users have the option to do a survey (to give feedback) for £10 Amazon voucher
And take part in an anonymous telephone interview about your experience for £50 Amazon voucher.

We really value what you think.

Offer runs until Jan 2019.
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Lucie268

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Just wanted to add I had a really positive experience using this and done both the online and telephone questionnaire for Amazon vouchers!

Monicamcc

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Just wanted to add I had a really positive experience using this and done both the online and telephone questionnaire for Amazon vouchers!
Thanks so much Lucie268 for taking part in the FLASH Project and sharing your experience with the team, via survey & interview, and also recommending to your colleagues on SAAFE.
Means a lot.
Monica
Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

Monicamcc

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FLASH UPDATE

We have agreed to extend the FLASH Service (FREE HIV Self-test Kits done at home with immediate results) until the end of March 2019

This has been a great forum for women to hear about this offer, so I really appreciate the comments and sharing you have done to spread the word. 
Unfortunately the project is only able to offer one FREE kit per person, but if you know anyone who hasn't tried this, particularly someone who is a long way from sexual health and/or sex worker support services, please share the link with them.  https://flashhivtest.co.uk/

We have had nearly 100 kits ordered, from across the UK, since we launched in Jul 2018. We haven't had that many orders from East or West Midlands, Wales, N Ireland or South East area. People from all over UK are welcome to order, but if you know any of your contacts in these areas please let them have the link.
We have had great feedback from the 33 people who have done the survey and much more richer information from the 6 I have interviewed on the phone.

Thanks again for all your support.

Any queries drop me a line here or text (confidentially) on 07718 126508
Monica (FLASH Coordinator)

Monica, FLASH Coordinator,
SWOP at BOP, Brighton

eatmeplease

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I recently used this service and would definitely recommend.Package arrived within days of ordering and very discretely packaged .
It’s very easy to use with clear step by step instructions .And very easy to read results similar to those cheap pregnancy test strips you can buy .
I’ve not had time to complete the survey yet but will do as soon as I can .
Many thanks