Havering Council Report Shows Significant Increase In Number Of People Applying For Sexually Transmitted Infection Tests.

The number of people in Havering repeatedly applying for STI tests is growing “significantly,” a council report says, writes Local Democracy reporter Sebastian Mann.

The borough’s sexual reproductive health service offers free screenings for sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis. Appointments can be attended virtually or in-person.

In 2024/25, 76% of testees had applied for an at-home test previously. More than 10,000 test kits were ordered that year, and 74% were successfully returned.

The majority of applicants are women and girls aged between 15 and 34, according to council data. Younger people are disproportionately affected by STIs, the council says, so the uptake of tests among them is a “positive” sign.

The service has also been “instrumental” in improving access to sexual healthcare for African and Caribbean communities, women, and younger residents.

Another strength, the town hall says, is that running an online system means that in-person services are reserved for patients with “more complex or urgent needs”.

The clinic is not cheap for the council, but its outgoings are covered by a public health grant totalling more than £13million. This year it will cost the town hall around £21,500 a month – up from the pre-pandemic amount of £10,436 in 2019/20.

Due to the rising costs, growth of the clinic has slowed, the council says.

A total of 30 boroughs are part of the pan-London sexual health programme, spearheaded by City of London.

Havering’s deputy leader, Councillor Gillian Ford, said joining the programme was “more cost effective” than seeking out individual contracts.

There are plans to potentially roll out new measures in Havering, including the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which have been introduced elsewhere.

Providing PrEP, as well as the contraceptive pill, will cost Havering just shy of £400,000 over the next decade.

In the report, published last week, an officer said: “A decision as to whether Havering wishes to participate in these optional modules will be informed by a number of factors, including the North East London digital PrEP pilot, and emerging evidence about enhanced pharmacy provision for emergency contraceptives.”

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