A hospital is to start offering rapid HIV tests to all outpatients from today.
Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone will give patients a choice of a routine blood test or a mouth swab, with results available within 20 minutes.
It comes amid concerns about the high levels of the virus in east London.
It is estimated that approximately five people out of every thousand tested in the region are likely to be HIV positive - four times higher than the national average.
Sexual Health Consultant Monica Lascar said: “We are delighted to be able to offer a confidential, rapid HIV testing service located in our main outpatients with no appointment necessary.
"We are hoping the increased availability of HIV testing will result in earlier HIV diagnosis and timely treatment .
"It is important to stress that nobody is obliged to take the test, but it is available should they wish to do so.”
Members of the public who are not outpatients can also visit the department for rapid HIV testing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9.30am and 12.30pm and on Thursdays from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
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