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Optimising PrEP Services
You can now read the report: "How can we best deliver HIV Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for maximum health gain?"
The report details research regarding PrEP awareness, access, uptake and adherence.
This may be of interest to patients who took part in the research and others for further information regarding PrEP services in Scotland.
Information about the Monkeypox Vaccine
Why haven’t I been offered vaccination yet?
Despite some reports in the press and on social media, vaccines for pre-exposure protection has only just become available in Scotland and supplies are limited at this time. We are starting to offer a first dose of vaccination to people who are at the highest risk of infection. As further vaccination supplies become available, we will contact those eligible to offer vaccination to more people.
For more information, please click here.
Grampian Pride 28th May 2022
Grampian Pride® is brought to you by Four Pillars LGBT+ Charity, in partnership with various organisations across Grampian. We aim to bring the local and wider community together, welcoming everyone from North East Scotland, the rest of the UK, and international communities. Grampian Pride® provides a safe space for all LGBT+ people and their straight allies. The Pride event will consist of a march, various stalls, information about LGBT+ organisations and services, entertainment, key speakers, safe spaces, and a family area.
For more information on the event please visit with Grampian Pride website https://www.grampianpride.org/pride-2022/
NHS Grampian Sexual Health Service Exchange Street Reopening - November 2021
The NHS Grampian Sexual Health Service had a visit from the @aberdeentaexali LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby union team, to help support the reopening of the Exchange Street Clinic, held in the Yellow Zone, Aberdeen Health Village.
The clinic for gay & bisexual men, and men who have sex with men, runs every Wednesday evening 5.00 - 7.30pm and provides free confidential sexual health information, testing, vaccinations, PrEP and PEP, condoms and signposting to other services.
You can drop in or phone 0345-337-9900 to book an appointment.
Cervical Cancer Screening Campaign - Don’t Ignore Your Smear Invite: October 2021
The benefits of going for a smear test are being highlighted as part of a new campaign to encourage those eligible not to ignore their next invitation.
With uptake of smear tests declining amongst those eligible, the Scottish Government’s Cervical Screening campaign is urging those invited to attend, even if they expect everything is fine.
In Scotland, cervical screening is offered to anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 64. The five-minute test saves lives as it can help stop cervical cancer before it starts. The test is even more effective now as it screens for HPV which causes 99% of cervical cancers but has no symptoms.
The campaign also aims to help reassure those who put off going for the test, highlighting the things they can try to make the test easier. These include wearing a skirt, lying in a different position, asking for a GP or nurse of a particular gender, or talking through any concerns at the appointment, so the person doing the test can offer the right support.
Practice Nurse Mary Horne, NHS Lothian said: “I’ve done hundreds, if not thousands, of smear tests during my career so far. It can be a nervous time for some so I do what I can to put them at ease and always remind them that there’s no such thing as a silly question. Afterwards, most people – especially those who have gone for first time - are surprised by how quickly it’s all over. It takes just minutes, and could stop cancer before it starts.”
For more information visit: https://www.getcheckedearly.org/
Connecting Men in Rural Areas: Starting 12th October 2021
Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland and SX Scotland are running an online peer support programme for gay and bi men living in remote and rural areas.
This safe and supportive confidential online group will enable men to meet other men from across Scotland from the comfort of their own homes.
Sessions will be on Zoom and are not recorded.
For more information or to join the group please contact Christopher Ward at christopher.ward@s-x.scot or David Bingham at david.bingham@tht.org.uk
Visit the event brite page here.
Activism Against Gender based Violence: Global 16 Days of Activism Campaign: September 2021
The Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence against women is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute. “16 Days,” as it has become known, was launched and continues to be coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.
The dates for the campaign were chosen to link violence against women and human rights and emphasize that gender-based violence against women is a violation of human rights: since 1991, the campaign has been active between November 25, the International Day Against Violence Against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day.
This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day; December 1, World AIDS Day; and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.
The Global 16 Days Campaign is an organizing strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence against women and to:
- raise awareness about gender-based violence against women as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels
- strengthen local work around gender-based violence against women
- establish a clear link between local and international work to end gender-based violence against women
- provide a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies
- demonstrate the solidarity of women around the world organizing against gender-based violence against women
- create tools to pressure governments to implement commitments to eliminate gender-based violence against women
Over 6000+ organizations in approximately 187 countries have participated in the Global 16 Days Campaign since 1991, with a reach of 300 million.
To read more about our new vision for the campaign, click here.