Free Home STI Testing Expanded for Wiltshire Residents

Residents across Wiltshire can now access a wider range of free and confidential sexually transmitted infection (STI) home testing kits, following an expansion of the county's online testing service.

Wiltshire Council's Public Health team is funding a trial that will routinely include HIV and syphilis tests as part of the home testing service, making it easier for residents to check their sexual health without having to attend a clinic.

The service allows people to order a testing kit online, complete the tests in the privacy of their own home and return the samples by post.

Previously, HIV and syphilis tests were offered depending on the answers people provided to screening questions when ordering a kit.

Under the expanded service, everyone using the home testing programme will routinely be offered tests for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea at least once a year, with more frequent testing available where appropriate.

Although Wiltshire has relatively low levels of sexually transmitted infections compared with some other areas, health officials are responding to concerns about rising syphilis cases nationally.

The UK Health Security Agency has identified tackling syphilis as an important public health priority, with its Syphilis Response Plan setting out measures to improve prevention, testing and treatment.

Increasing access to HIV testing is also a key priority under the Government's HIV Action Plan for England 2025–2030. The plan highlights the importance of reaching people who may not traditionally have been targeted by HIV testing campaigns, including heterosexual people.

By making HIV and syphilis tests a routine part of the home testing service, Wiltshire Council hopes to encourage more people to get tested, improve awareness and reduce the stigma sometimes associated with sexual health.

The trial will also help the council develop a better understanding of local testing needs and identify opportunities to improve access to sexual health services.

Wiltshire Sexual Health Service, known as WiSe, supports the expansion, which also brings online testing more closely in line with the tests available through face-to-face sexual health clinics.

Cllr Clare Cape, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said making testing easier and more convenient was an important part of the council's work to improve sexual health across Wiltshire.

She said residents could complete the tests discreetly at home, helping more people access testing and receive an earlier diagnosis and treatment where necessary.

Residents can order a free and confidential home STI testing kit through the SH.UK website.

To access the service, visit SH.UK.