New Anonymous HIV Testing Sites & Rapid HIV Testing

Toronto, July 4th, 2007 -- The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently announced that it will expand its HIV testing program to include 24 new anonymous HIV testing sites across the province (five in the Greater Toronto Area) and roll out rapid point-of-care HIV testing at all of these new sites, as well as at existing HIV anonymous testing sites in Ontario.

With the expansion scheduled for fall 2007, people will soon be able to find out their HIV status anonymously and much more quickly than ever before.

There are also plans to roll our rapid point-of-care HIV testing at other locations including sexual health clinics and some community health centres

Are you thinking about getting tested? Here’s what you need to know:


Rapid Point-of-Care HIV Testing
The Rapid Point-of-Care Test is an extremely fast and reliable test that screens for HIV antibodies in the blood. Within 60 seconds, clinicians can determine from a finger-prick blood sample whether you are HIV reactive or not. The test is much faster than traditional HIV tests, which take approximately two weeks.

The Rapid Point-of-Care HIV Test is as accurate as current lab-based testing in Ontario and takes about 20 minutes including pre-test counseling, administration of the test itself, and post-test counseling. In the case of an HIV-reactive result, a confirmatory test will be performed to confirm an HIV-positive diagnosis.

Right now, the Rapid Point-of-Care HIV Test is available at the Hassle Free Clinic at 66 Gerrard Street East, Second Floor, tel. 416 -922-0566 (women’s clinic) or 416-922-0603 (men’s clinic) and will become available at sexually transmitted infections clinics and community health centres across the province.


Anonymous HIV Testing
If you want to know your HIV status but are concerned about your privacy, an anonymous HIV testing site is the best place to get tested. These sites allow you to find out your HIV status without giving your name or any personal information. Instead of giving your name, you are given a code that is used to track your testing information anonymously. Complete discretion is assured.

Anonymous HIV testing sites opening in Toronto in Fall 2007:

Kensington Midwives
340 College Street, Suite 375
416-928-9777

New Heights Community Health Centre (formerly Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre)
12 Flemington Rd.
416-787-1661 ext. 278

Parkdale Community Health Centre
1229 Queen Street West
416-537-2455

Sages Femmes Rouge Valley Midwives
6758 Kingston Road, Unit 6
905-409-6447
416-286-2228

Women’s Health in Women’s Hands
2 Carlton Street, Suite 500
416-593-1815 clinic


Existing Anonymous HIV Testing Sites in Toronto:

Anishnawbe Health Toronto
225 Queen Street East
416-360-0486

Bay Centre for Birth Control at the Women’s College Hospital
790 Bay St, 8th Floor
416-351-3700

Birth Control and Venereal Disease Information Centre
960 Lawrence Avenue west, 4th floor Suite 403
416-789-4541

Central Toronto Community Health Centres — Queen West Site
168 Bathurst Street
416-703-8482

Centre francophone de Toronto
22 College Street
416-922-2672

Hassle Free Clinic
Gerrard Street East, Second Floor
416-922-0566 (women’s clinic) or 416-922-0603 (men’s clinic)

Rexdale Community Health Centre
8 Taber Road
416-744-0066


More Information
For more information about the expansion, contact the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care at 1-866-532-3161.
To get tested, contact one of testing sites above. For rapid point-of-care HIV testing, contact the Hassle Free Clinic. If you have questions or concerns about getting tested, call 416-340-2437 and book an appointment with one of our counsellors or case managers.


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