STI Testing
Get tested with confidence through our confidential, inclusive STI testing services. Regular testing is an important part of maintaining your sexual health and wellbeing.
What we offer
Rapid HIV & Syphilis Testing
We provide free, confidential & non-judgemental rapid HIV & syphilis testing at our Belfast and Foyle centres Monday to Friday 10AM-5PM by appointment.
How to book a rapid HIV & Syphilis test
Call: 028 90 319 030 (Belfast) 028 71 283 030 (Foyle)
Text: 079 04 864 861
E-mail: leo@rainbow-project.org
Online: https://www.rainbow-project.org/bookonline/
Note, it’s always fastest to book an appointment via telephone call.
Who can get a rapid HIV & syphilis test?
- To get a rapid HIV & syphilis test you must be at least 18 years old and be either:
- A man who is gay, bisexual or has sex with other men.
- A transgender man or woman or non-binary person
- Someone who is at ‘high-risk’ of contracting HIV (i.e. had unprotected anal or vaginal sex, a homeless person, sex worker, intravenous drug user etc.)
- Someone who is in high distress regarding their HIV and/or Syphilis status
If you’re concerned about your sexual health and are not sure whether you qualify to access a rapid HIV & syphilis test at Rainbow Project, please contact us to discuss further. If we are not able to provide you with rapid testing, we may be able to signpost you elsewhere.
What is rapid HIV & syphilis testing?
It’s a thirty-minute consultation with a trained member of staff from The Rainbow Project where after a short chat about your recent sexual history (i.e how many partners, whether you use protection, what kind of sex did you have etc.) they will use a lancet to take a finger prick of blood.
As you wait for the result, they’ll give you relevant non-judgemental advice on how to best protect your sexual health.
You will then receive your results there and then. If your test is ‘reactive’ (i.e it’s very likely you have HIV or syphilis) they will contact the GUM clinic on your behalf to arrange treatment or if necessary further testing.
How accurate is rapid HIV & syphilis testing?
Tests have a 99.6% accuracy rate from twelve weeks after a sexual incident or encounter. This means that if you’ve contracted HIV or syphilis in the last twelve weeks, it may not be detected by rapid testing.
Tests are often semi-accurate just six weeks after a sexual incident or encounter, but we’d encourage you to re-test at twelve weeks after to be sure.
Availablility
Rapid and Self Testing
Drop-in Rapid HIV & Syphilis Testing
Drop-in rapid HIV & syphilis testing (i.e no appointment necessary) is available once per month at:
Belfast LGBT Centre: 2nd Tuesday of every month (excluding July) 5PM-8PM.
You do not need to book an appointment for a drop-in clinic but if you’re travelling from outside of Belfast and would like to reserve a space please contact us.
SH:24 Free self-test kit for full STI screening at home
SH:24 in partnership with the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts provide at home self-sampling kits which allow you to test for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Please visit https://sh24.org.uk/ to order your free kit today.
It takes 3-4 working days for your self-test kit to arrive. Once you’ve completed your samples, send in the free-post envelope provided. You will then receive your results via text in 7 days.
If you would like to order an SH:24 test kit but are concerned about receiving confidential deliveries to your home or work address you can order your delivery to be sent to:
The Rainbow Project
23 – 31 Waring Street
Belfast
BT1 2DX
Just please contact us once you’ve ordered so we know how to contact you to let you know when it’s available to pick up during office hours.
Book an Appointment
Book an appointment at your local GUM clinic
If you have symptoms of an STI (or are unable to complete an SH:24 self-test kit due to a physical disability) you can book an appointment at your local GUM clinic. There are a range of clinics and services available across Northern Ireland including:
- Belfast Trust (Royal Victoria Hospital): 028 96 15 2111 (Mon-Friday 8.15am-10.15am)
- Northern Trust (Coleraine, Ballymena & Magherafelt): 028 7034 6028
- Western Trust (Altnagelvin & Omagh): 028 71 61 1269 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.00pm)
- Southern Trust (Jon Mitchell Place, Craigavon & Portadown):028 37 56 2080 (Mon & Weds 9am-4pm and Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am-12pm)
- South-Eastern Trust (Bangor, Downpatrick & Lisburn):028 44 83 8133 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
Service access
Under 25?
To use our rapid HIV & syphilis testing service you must be at least eighteen years old.
If you’re younger than 18 we would recommend ordering an SH:24 kit, visiting your local GUM clinic or attending a young person’s clinic at any of these locations:
Belfast
- The Young Person’s Sexual Health Clinic in Crumlin Road Health Centre (94-100 Crumlin Road, BT14 6AR) every Wednesday 2PM-5PM that provides STI testing, treatment, PEP, PrEP and advice or support. No appointment necessary, just walk in!
- Common Youth (23-31 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 DX) who provide counselling, emergency contraception, pregnancy & STI testing, STI treatment.
Southern Trust
- Health Hub in Southern Regional Colleges (SRC) or South West College (SWC) for ages 16-25 including Newry East, Dungannon, Armagh, Banbridge, Greenbank/Model, Portadown & Lurgan. Offering advice, information STI testing, STI treatment, contraception and more. You do not have to be a student at SRC or SWC to visit Health Hub.
Western Trust
- Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) clinics at SWC Enniskillen and Omagh
- Enniskillen Clinic 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month (9.30am -12.30pm)
- Omagh Clinic 2nd & 4th Monday of each month (9.30am -12.30pm)
Get in Touch
