Targeted Prevention Services

Somerset County Council are reviewing the way services aimed at preventing HIV and sexual ill health as well as services to support people living with HIV are provided in future. These services are currently delivered by The Eddystone Trust as part of the Somerset Wide Integrated Sexual Health Service (SWISH). The contract with The Eddystone Trust is coming to an end on the 31^st March 2019. The types of service provided include:

• Community testing for HIV
• Outreach through Grindr, Fab Guys and other websites and apps
• Outreach and testing at cruising areas
• One to one work with individuals to support safer sex
• Free condoms for groups at high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies, including the C-Card condom scheme for young people
• Support for people newly diagnosed with HIV
• Support for people living with HIV to manage their physical and emotional health needs
• Social support for people living with HIV with things such as finances, debt and housing

We will continue to offer services that support people living with HIV as well as targeted prevention services and we are not reducing our investment in these services. We would like to know what you find useful about these services and any ideas you have about how they could be delivered in future. This could include how you would like to access testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, what would support you to look after your own sexual health and for people living with HIV how you can be supported to manage your condition.

Your views will help inform our decision on how these services are delivered in future. If you have anything else to say you can also email TPS@somerset.gov.uk. This is a confidential email only accessed by the sexual health commissioners at Somerset County Council. This information will be anonymised and then analysed, your personal details will not be stored on any Somerset County Council systems. 

This consultation has now closed.