Health Minister Jillian Skinner today officially marked World AIDS Day by calling on people at risk of contracting HIV to take precautions and seek regular testing.

Mrs Skinner told the Customs House event, hosted by Positive Life, that NSW is continuing to roll out a range of innovative campaigns and testing technologies as part of the NSW HIV Strategy 2012- 2015.

A notable development in the last year has been the introduction of rapid HIV testing in NSW. There are now 18 rapid testing sites across the state.

“The new finger-prick screening test for HIV produces a preliminary result within 30 minutes. The rapid result alleviates many barriers to testing, including the stress of waiting for results,” Mrs Skinner said.

“We know that many of the people visiting these rapid testing sites have never been tested before, which is very encouraging.”

On Tuesday, NSW claimed an Australian-first when Mrs Skinner launched a pop-up rapid HIV testing site at Taylor Square on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

The van offers free, confidential screening by expertly trained clinical staff from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and peer educators from ACON.

As at last night, more than 140 rapid tests have been conducted, meaning one rapid test has been conducted every seven minutes since the van arrived.

“Testing leads to early detection, which enables treatment to be offered. Antiretroviral treatment not only improves the health and wellbeing of those who are HIV positive, but substantially reduces the risk of transmitting the infection to others.”

Most HIV tests are initiated by General Practice and we encourage people at risk of infection to talk to their GP.

“Today I am announcing that we will invest $548,000 over three years to support a program with the Kirby Institute to make available pre-exposure prophylaxis.

“We have opened a new community testing site in Newtown in conjunction with ACON and expanded after hours and express services at Sydney Sexual Health.

“The response to the pop-up rapid test caravan has been overwhelming – demand has been such that the operating hours have been extended. Following this week’s success the NSW Government will make the Pop-Up service available in other sites in NSW,” Mrs Skinner said.

Given the important role of GPs in HIV testing NSW Health is working with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, ASHM, Medicare Locals and the STI Programs Unit to assist them in the important role they play.

Mrs Skinner said the NSW Government is committed to driving down HIV transmission.

“I want NSW to be a leader in the global effort to achieve the virtual elimination of HIV transmission,” she said.

“As there is still no cure, testing, treatment and prevention remain the key elements of our strategy. It is vital that those at greatest risk of HIV infection – such as men who have sex with men and injecting drug users – take precautions, seek testing and, if found to be positive, embark on treatment.”

The key aims of the NSW HIV Strategy 2012- 2015 are to:

•       reduce sexual transmission of HIV among gay men by 60 per cent by 2015 and 80 per cent by 2020.

•       decrease rates of HIV infection in other populations, including injecting drug users, sex workers, Aboriginal people and heterosexuals.

•       reduce the time between infection and diagnosis for people with HIV to ensure early prevention education, access to treatment and reduce onward transmission.

•       increase access to antiretroviral treatment to improve health and reduce the number of AIDS-related deaths.

•       eliminating cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission.