Clinic Offers STD Test Results Over Text

The West London primary care trust has launched a service which offers a Chlamydia home test kit, with test results sent via text message.

Considering that most feel STD tests to be somewhat intrusive and even potentially embarrassing, the NHZ Hounslow trust came up with the home based kit to make testing for chlamydia much more private and discreet. Not only can users take the test in the privacy of their own home, but they also avoid any direct contact with a person when receiving the results.  

The test requires a urine or swab sample, which then must be sent and processed by a lab.  Once the results come in, they are sent via text message if selected as the requested method of communication.  Positive results for chlamydia are easily treated with one dose of antibiotics according to Tracy Warrener, lead commissioner for sexual health at NHS Hounslow. 

Over 19,000 teens and young adults aged 16-24 have been targeted by the campaign

Do you feel an online or text based diagnosis is something that clinics should be doing? Or do you prefer to personally go see your doctor for the results?