What is the difference between anonymous and confidential/name based testing?
Confidential/name based HIV testing involves a person giving their details (name, age, address) to the clinic doing the test. They then have to go back to the clinic after a couple of weeks to get the results. In the UK most confidential testing is done at genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinics. The clinics are legally bound not to reveal personal details and test results. GPs and private doctors also do HIV tests but confidentiality is less strict. The fact a person has had an HIV test, and the results, will appear on their medical records. In other countries such as America, confidentiality is less, as clinics have to notify public health officials of a person’s personal details if they test positive for HIV. Anonymous HIV testing is also available in America for people wanting complete confidentiality. No personal information or details are taken and each person is given a unique identifying code. There is no official record of them being tested and positive results c
