Anneliese Dodds among MPs testing for HIV in support of UK HIV Testing Week

Some 59 MPs from across the political divide have agreed to take an HIV test to raise awareness for Public Health England’s (PHE) National HIV Testing Week (1st – 7th Feb 2021), encouraging their constituents to test for HIV and learn the facts about the virus.

They will use a Simplitude™ ByMe™ self-test in support of a campaign by the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) to promote HIV testing at home during lockdown. The campaign – ‘Give HIV the finger: a finger prick test is all it takes’ – will encourage MPs to post about their experiences on social media and highlight how to access a test.

Labour’s Shadow First Secretary and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner and the Paymaster General and Conservative Portsmouth North MP, Penny Mordaunt, are among those participating. Owen Mumford’s local Oxford East Labour MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Anneliese Dodds, is also championing the campaign.

The initiative is supported by Oxfordshire-based medical device manufacturer Owen Mumford, which has donated Simplitude ByMe HIV self-test kits that can deliver results in just 15 minutes.

National HIV Testing Week is a campaign to promote regular testing and help reduce the number of people living undiagnosed with HIV and those who are diagnosed late. More than two out of every five people (42%) were diagnosed late in 2019, according to PHE data, leading to poorer long-term health outcomes and an eightfold increased risk of death.

Commenting on her support of the campaign, Anneliese Dodds said: “I’m proud to support National HIV Testing Week by playing my part and having an HIV test. Huge advances in science now mean it’s possible to test for HIV in less than 15 minutes – just like I did. There’s still around 6,700 people living with HIV in the UK who don’t know their status and often it’s fear and stigma that hold them back. We all need to challenge this, and normalising testing is one way to do just that.

“The Simplitude ByMe test provided by Terrence Higgins Trust was easy and quick to use. Embracing new technologies, like the test from local Oxfordshire firm, Owen Mumford, will help us make vital progress towards the goal of ending new cases of HIV within the decade.”

Explaining that while there are many ways to test for HIV and the most important message is simply to get tested, Leanne Adam, Marketing Manager at Owen Mumford, said the safest way at present is to test at home or to self-test:

“Being at home should not be a barrier to testing. In fact, now is a great time to test, find out your status and support eradicating this disease. We are proud to support this important campaign by providing the Simplitude ByMe self-test devices, which highlight how easy and convenient it is to test at home.”

Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, also agreed that testing for HIV has never been easier: “We now have an opportunity to end new cases of HIV by 2030 and it starts with more people knowing their status. The vast majority of people who test get a negative result, but for those that do test positive there’s a huge amount of support available to help process that diagnosis. I’d like to thank all MPs for their support of National HIV Testing Week and Owen Mumford for donating self-test kits for Parliamentarians to use. MPs have a key role in helping break down barriers to testing and showing it should be no different from having an eye test or going to the doctors. A test is something to be proud of.”

Simplitude ByMe
Today’s state-of-the-art technology provides a world of information at your fingertips so that when it comes to health, people look for the same instant information and level of control.   

The Simplitude ByMe testing kit has been launched to empower people who want control over their health and wellness. Simplitude ByMe incorporates an all-in-one test with a built-in sterile safety lancet to facilitate the collection of a blood sample, a blood collection unit and a strip test. It provides a user-friendly HIV test experience, with reliable results (99.6% accuracy) which are available in 15 minutes.   

For more than 60 years, people have trusted Owen Mumford to provide them with reliable medical devices. Now, the family company is using their expertise to introduce Simplitude ByMe and give the general population access to the same innovative technology that medical professionals use. With a simple finger prick test, potentially in the comfort of the own home, consumers can take control of their own health. Simplitude ByMe makes it easier for those at risk to know their status.

About Owen Mumford   
Owen Mumford is a major healthcare company and device manufacturer that commercialises pioneering medical products in its own brand and custom device solutions for the world’s major pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies.  Owen Mumford’s goal is to enhance access to diagnostics, encourage adherence to treatment and reduce healthcare costs, making a world of difference to a world of people.

Through advanced research involving end-users and healthcare professionals, and extensive design and manufacturing capabilities, Owen Mumford produces class-leading medical devices that are used globally and exports over 85% of its products to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Selected as one of The World Economic Forum’s Global Growth Companies, Owen Mumford is a trusted partner to many of the world’s biggest diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies.  For further information visit www.owenmumford.com.