‘Test and go’ sexual health pilot scheme extended following positive response/Estyn y cynllun peilot iechyd rhywiol ‘Profi a Mynd’ yn dilyn ymateb cadarnhaol

A Hywel Dda pilot project which allows people to test themselves at home for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea has been extended by the Health Minister, Vaughan Gething.

The Test and Post (TAP) project run by Hywel Dda University Health Board, Public Health Wales and Signum Health, and funded by Welsh Government, began in November 2018 as a means of enabling people to carry out a home STI test and post their samples to a laboratory for analysis without having to attend a sexual health clinic. Survey results have shown a 100% positive response by those using the pilot scheme.

People using the service are initially asked to complete an online questionnaire which is designed to screen out individuals who may not be showing any symptoms. They may then be directed to a sexual health clinic if this is the best course of action for them, while others are encouraged to order a test and post kit which they can use in the privacy of their own home.  Those who use a kit are then notified of their results by SMS or telephone.

The service has so far allowed £24,353 to be re-directed within the Sexual Health Service to meet demand, so that the impact of sexually transmitted infections is minimised both through treatment to reduce transmission and also to reduce any long term complications in individuals.

Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething, said: “The initial pilot has been positively received by those using the service. TAP has demonstrated that online testing provides a valuable service for patients who may not otherwise attend sexual health services. I’m pleased to confirm an extension of six months, which will help us gain a clear picture of how people would like to access sexual health services in Wales.”

Lisa Humphrey, Sexual Health Service Delivery Manager at Hywel Dda, said: “We’re delighted that the TAP pilot has proved to be so successful in the short time that it has been up and running in Hywel Dda.  By answering an online screening questionnaire and providing a home testing kit to those who are eligible, we can ensure that people get the best care for their need.”

Zoe Couzens, Principal in Public Health (Sexual Health Programme Lead) at Public Health Wales added: “The TAP pilot project in Hywel Dda is helping to inform future service provision across Wales, so it’s great to see that it has made good progress early on.”

Estyn y cynllun peilot iechyd rhywiol ‘Profi a Mynd’ yn dilyn ymateb cadarnhaol

Mae prosiect peilot gan Hywel Dda, sy’n galluogi pobl i’w profi eu hunain gartref ar gyfer Clamydia a Gonorea, wedi cael ei estyn gan y Gweinidog Iechyd, Vaughan Gething.

Dechreuodd y prosiect Profi a Phostio (TAP), sy’n cael ei redeg gan Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda, Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru a Signum Health, a’i ariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ym mis Tachwedd 2018, a hynny fel ffordd o alluogi pobl i gynnal prawf heintiau a drosglwyddir yn rhywiol gartref, a phostio eu samplau i labordy i’w dadansoddi, heb iddynt orfod mynd i glinig iechyd rhywiol.

Yn y lle cyntaf, gofynnir i ddefnyddwyr y gwasanaeth lenwi holiadur ar-lein sydd wedi’i gynllunio i sgrinio allan achosion heb unrhyw symptomau. Yna, efallai y bydd rhai o ddefnyddwyr y gwasanaeth yn cael eu cyfeirio i glinig iechyd rhywiol os dyma’r ffordd orau o weithredu ar eu cyfer, tra bydd eraill yn cael eu hannog i archebu cit profi a phostio y gallant ei ddefnyddio ym mhreifatrwydd eu cartref eu hunain. Caiff y rhai sy’n defnyddio cit wybod eu canlyniadau trwy SMS neu dros y ffôn maes o law.

Hyd yn hyn, mae’r gwasanaeth wedi caniatáu i £24,353 gael ei ailgyfeirio o fewn y Gwasanaeth Iechyd Rhywiol i ateb y galw, fel bod effaith heintiau a drosglwyddir yn rhywiol yn cael ei gostwng i’r eithaf trwy driniaeth i leihau’r achosion o drosglwyddo, ynghyd â’r ôl-effeithiau hirdymor mewn unigolion. Mae canlyniadau’r arolwg hefyd wedi tynnu sylw at ymateb cadarnhaol o 100% gan ddefnyddwyr.

Dywedodd Vaughan Gething, y Gweinidog Iechyd: “Mae’r cynllun peilot cychwynnol wedi cael derbyniad cadarnhaol gan y rhai sy’n defnyddio’r gwasanaeth. Mae TAP wedi dangos bod profion ar-lein yn darparu gwasanaeth gwerthfawr i gleifion na fyddent efallai’n mynychu gwasanaethau iechyd rhywiol fel arall. Mae’n bleser gennyf gadarnhau estyniad o chwe mis, a fydd yn ein helpu i gael darlun clir o sut y byddai pobl yn hoffi cael gafael ar wasanaethau iechyd rhywiol yng Nghymru.”

Dywedodd Lisa Humphrey, Rheolwr Cyflenwi Gwasanaethau Iechyd Rhywiol Hywel Dda: “Rydym wrth ein bodd fod y peilot TAP wedi bod mor llwyddiannus yn yr amser byr y mae wedi bod ar waith yn Hywel Dda. Trwy ateb holiadur sgrinio ar-lein, a thrwy ddarparu pecyn cynnal prawf yn y cartref i’r rhai sy’n gymwys, gallwn sicrhau bod pobl yn cael y gofal gorau ar gyfer eu hangenion.”

Ychwanegodd Zoe Couzens, Pennaeth Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Arweinydd y Rhaglen Iechyd Rhywiol) yn Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru: “Mae’r prosiect peilot TAP yn Hywel Dda yn helpu i lywio’r gwaith o ddarparu’r gwasanaethau yn y dyfodol ledled Cymru, felly mae’n wych gweld ei fod wedi gwneud cynnydd da yn gynnar.”