MEN and women across the borough can now benefit from free home testing HIV kits.

Harrow and Barnet have become the first councils in England to offer home testing HIV kits in partnership with Terrance Higgins Trust.

Kits can be ordered online from the Terrance Higgins Trust website and will arrive in a few days to a chosen address in the borough.

All that is required is a small sample of blood, from a finger prick, and the kit is then sent off in on a pre-paid envelope for testing.

Councillor for public health, Varsha Parmar, said: “In Harrow we only have a small number of people who are diagnosed with HIV, but it is still important for risk groups to be checked regularly.

“I am delighted that Harrow is the first Council in England to provide these kits.

“Thankfully HIV treatments have advanced dramatically in recent years and if diagnosed early there is a range of treatments available.

“However, if undiagnosed there can be life changing consequences.”

HIV is a treatable condition that, if spotted early, is no longer a terminal illness.

The free kits are for at high risk groups, which include gay men, bisexual and heterosexual men and women from Black African origins to help identify the condition early, but those outside of the at risk groups can still take advantage of free testing in the borough.

Information on what services are available, and where can be found on the Harrow Council website.