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Mayor of Greenwich gets tested for HIV on camera

Greenwich Mayor Linda Bird popped by our HIV testing bus as part of National HIV Testing Week to demonstrate how quick and easy the process is.

We were delighted to welcome Linda Bird, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, to our HIV testing bus in Woolwich, where she took a free rapid HIV test. This outreach is part of our National HIV Testing Week programme, which runs from the 9th—15th of February. Linda Bird was joined by four other Greenwich Councillors who popped by to find out their HIV status in minutes. 

"As Mayor and first citizen of our borough, I am pleased to be taking this test myself. I would advise everyone to take advantage of this free testing service, offered by METRO Charity. HIV is a disease which knows no boundaries. There is no stigma to being tested. That's why I am pleased to come to the free testing bus, here in General Gordon Square, so come along and join me!”

Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor Linda Bird (she/her)

This year's National HIV Testing Week – HIV Prevention England, running under the motto ‘I Test’, comes at a critical moment. The UK government's newly released HIV Action Plan for England has an unprecedented goal: ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030. Currently around 4,700 people in England are estimated to be living with undiagnosed HIV, and 15,800 – 18,900 people could be living with transmissible levels of the virus, but it doesn't have to be like this.

HIV treatment is now so advanced that people can take one pill a day and live long, healthy lives. People on effective treatment have a viral load so low it is undetectable, therefore untransmittable (known as U=U). These developments mean HIV positive people can have unprotected sex and even have children without passing the virus on. However, people need to know their HIV status to access treatment, and the only way to find out your HIV status is by taking an HIV test.

"HIV Testing Week in England is a crucial reminder that knowing your HIV status is a normal part of looking after yourself. Testing is free, quick and confidential, and puts you in control of your own health. And if someone is diagnosed, effective treatment means people can live long, healthy, happy lives and cannot pass HIV on. We’re proud to bring HIV prevention services to London boroughs and we’d encourage anyone who can to come along and get tested, without judgement and free from stigma.”

Dr Alessandro Ceccarelli, Director of Services (he/him)

Four other Greenwich Councillors also took the opportunity to find out their HIV status. They were (left to right) Councillor Jahdia Spencer; Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Enforcement; Councillor Christine May; and Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture & Communities. 

 

Find out about our HIV services

Find out where you can get tested

How to collect a blood sample for an at-home HIV or syphilis test