National HIV Testing Week – free and easy HIV testing for Lambeth residents
It’s been over ten years since the National HIV Testing Week campaign began, and thousands of Londoners have taken charge of their health and gotten tested. This year National HIV Testing Week 2026 runs from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 February. With Lambeth’s HIV prevalence being the highest in England, the council’s Public Health Team is encouraging everyone to take the opportunity to test for HIV.
Testing is free, fast and confidential – and you can get tested at your GP, at your local sexual health clinic or by ordering a test online at It Starts With Me.
To support the campaign, if you are already having a blood test during this week, your Lambeth GP will offer you a HIV screen. Despite a substantial decrease in new HIV infections across London over the past decade, testing rates remain low among women and heterosexual men in Lambeth, leading to delayed diagnoses within these groups.
Dr. Ruth Harris, Lambeth GP HIV Clinical Lead, said: “Having an HIV test is a great chance to know your status and get on treatment quickly. People on effective regular HIV medication can live a long and healthy life and cannot pass HIV on. Whether you’re already having a routine blood test or wish to have an HIV test, you can speak to your GP surgery. They can request a test for you, and advise on local clinics, or how you can order a home test. Increased testing and this year’s National HIV Testing Week 2026 will take us a step closer to our aim of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
Why test?
Simply put, the sooner you know your HIV status, the sooner you can get treatment if you need it. HIV treatment is now so effective that people on treatment achieve an undetectable viral load, which means there’s no more risk of transmission and you can live a long healthy life.
Most people get a negative result, but whatever happens, it’s important to know that there are prevention options like PrEP (ask your doctor for more info), and that anyone living with HIV in the UK can access free treatment and support.
Order your test online
Testing is quick and easy, and you can even do it in the comfort of your own home. If you haven’t tested before or your last test was over six months ago, order one today at It Starts With Me.
Testing opportunities during HIV Testing Week
If your Lambeth GP is requesting a blood test for you this week, they will offer you an HIV screen as part of this.
The Caribbean and African Health Network and Turning Point will be offering free HIV testing and sexual health information at their stall or you can attend a local event:
Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN)
Monday 9 February
Pop-up testing + peer Q&A
Brixton Market, Electric Avenue, London, SW9 8JX
Turning Point
Wednesday 11 February, 11.30am to 1pm
Drop-in (talk + test)
Mosaic Clubhouse, 65 Effra Rd, London, SW2 1BZ
Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN)
Friday 13 February
Evening Youth Session + walk in testing
Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Rd, London SW9 8PQ
Lambeth Together Health and Wellbeing Bus
From Monday 9 to Thursday 12 February the health and wellbeing bus are offering the chance to have a chat and get tested. Times and locations vary. See where the bus will be stationed.
A Lambeth Together priority
The Lambeth Together Sexual Health Programme aims to decrease the number of sexually transmitted infection in the borough, especially among people disproportionately affected. This collaborative effort, involving partners in Southwark and Lewisham, strives to eliminate HIV-related stigma, transmissions, and deaths within the borough. Read more about the Lambeth Together Sexual Health Programme.