Gscene News Archive

Research into how STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) testing services should be delivered will be taking place at 6.30 pm on weekday evenings between late August and early October. Everyone attending these informal discussion groups will earn £20.

This research will give ordinary people an opportunity to influence NHS policy by contributing their voice to discussions about how STI testing services should be delivered. There will be a number of small, single-sex discussion groups during which people can discuss how sexual health testing services could be improved.

The study focuses on changing the process and policy of services, not medical issues. There is no expectation that people will necessarily discuss personal issues - although eligible participants must have used some type of sexual health service within the last two years.

A discussion group is a very relaxed opportunity for up to six men, or six women, to discuss their ideas about how they would like STI testing delivered - things like: waiting times, appointment systems, GPs, clinics, methods for receiving results, etc.

There will be 11 focus groups that people can choose to attend:
Gay men 24 years and under
Gay men over 24
Lesbian 24 years and under
Lesbian over 24
Bi-sexual men and women (any age)
HIV+ (any age)
Female Heterosexual 24 years and under
Female Heterosexual over 24
Male Heterosexual 24 years and under
Male Heterosexual over 24
Black and Minority Ethnic (any age)

Groups last approx. one hour, and will be held in a suitable private central Brighton location. All participants will receive £20 cash as a thank you for taking part.

For more information call Alex Pollard on 01273 641887 or e-mail: a.pollard@bsms.ac.uk