Online PNThe Sexual HealthMessaging Service

developed by GMFAfunded by

The Elton John AIDS Foundation

Presented by Dónal Heath – Project Manager

Presentation Outline

• Overall idea• Project background• How the service works• Where to from here

Overall idea

Use the technology that gay men use to meet to increase the ways in which:

1) Gay men can carry out PN2) Clinics can promote PN to patients

…to reduce undiagnosed STI’s and HIV

Project background

• Review of practise in GUM clinics• Survey of 3,000 gay men’s

experiences of PN• Data protection work• Technical development• PR

John visits a clinic

John is tested and receives a positive result.

(The clinic presents him with PN options.)

The clinic hands the patient a card referring him to GMFA’s Sexual Health Messaging Service.

The PN card

The clinic writes on the card John’s clinic number and a PIN number.

John sends notifications

John takes the PN card to a computer, goes to the SHMS website, signs on and sends notifications by text, dating site message and email.

John’s partners receive notifications

The notifications include:

• A PN Reference Number

• Info on the STI and where to obtain a test at www.gmfa.org.uk

• Assurances about the authenticity of the message.

• The National Sexual Health Helpline number

John’s partner’s responses

John’s partners are invited to report the action they will be taking on our website.

They are also encouraged to take their PN number with them to the clinic they attend.

One automatic reminder message will be sent.

Additional features

• Clinics can use the SHMS to carry out Provider Referrals via dating sites, text messages and email.

• Clinics can use the SHMS website to assist with Provider Referral follow-up.

• GMFA can generate reports on the performance of individual clinics to help with monitoring and auditing.

Learning so far

1.Acceptability demonstrated.

2.Has been used to notify about HIV.

3.It is more popular for patient led PN so far.

4.Still working out the full potential.

Where to from here?

1.Continue / expand the pilot

2.Refine the service

3.Add dating apps

4.Expand to the wider community