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HIV Testing: New Framework for Self-Sampling Launched in England

A new national framework for e-sexual and reproductive healthcare has been published by Public Health England. Among the services covered are 'HIV/STI self-sampling' and provision of condoms. Customers can contract with a supplier listed on the National Framework for provision of the services, which are set out in a User Guide.

For the self-sampling services, customers (e.g. local authorities, Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Trusts and others groups of organisations) can choose to allow direct access or for users to be redirected or referred from local services. Kits are available for capillary or finger-tip blood sampling; 1st pass urine sampling; pharyngeal swab sampling, vulvo-vaginal swab sampling, rectal swab sampling.

Providers are required to fulfil orders for self-sampling kits and process returned samples. The specification asks providers to arrange for kits to be posted to the user and/or arrange for kits to be available for collection from a local service, as agreed with the customer. Condoms can be provided with the self-sampling kits as an additional, optional service.

Providers are required to process returned samples at an accredited laboratory and to conduct all related activities including results management and, if required, referral for confirmatory testing and/or treatment, and initial of partner notification.

PHE developed and procured the National Framework for e-Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic to support local commissioning and development of services. The appointed suppliers for self-sampling are Preventx and SH:24. The User Guide for the framework is available online.

References: Framework 5607 – National Framework for e-sexual and reproductive healthcare: User guide Issue 1. Public Health England, August 2020. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/909838/E-SRH_Framework_User_Guide_Issue_1_FINAL.pdf

This article originally appeared on Univadis, part of the Medscape Professional Network.

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