CNWL launches first online PrEP Service in the UK

CNWL’s Sexual Health Services in North Central London have become the first in the country to offer HIV PrEP medication online.

Existing patients who meet certain clinical guidelines and are residents in the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Haringey and Barnet can now apply for a repeat prescription of PrEP medication using an online form, and choose to have the PrEP posted or click and collect in a clinic. 

HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication taken by people who don't have HIV to stop them contracting the virus - it's up to 99% effective when taken correctly. 

Last week, a landmark new study into PrEP confirmed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at preventing HIV and should be used more widely by eligible groups. 

Dr John Saunders, Deputy Head of Programme Delivery and Service Improvement for STI and HIV Division, from the UK Health Security Agency, and an Honorary Consultant at CNWL, said:

"Now we know how effective PrEP is in real-world settings, substantially reducing the chance of acquiring HIV. It’s vital that all those who can benefit from PrEP can access it.

"Currently, we know that many people who can benefit from PrEP are not aware the medication exists or where to access it. To address this, CNWL’s North Central London PrEP programme has been working to increase awareness and uptake among groups who can most benefit from PrEP, including young gay and bi men, gay and bi men of colour, and Black African heterosexuals.

“One goal of the new online PrEP Service is to free up in-clinic appointments for new patients who want to start PrEP, allowing the services to see more patients and ensuring more people can benefit from this game-changing HIV prevention tool.”

In September, CNWL’s PrEP Programme won a HSJ Patient Safety Award and this month received a letter of congratulations from the Mayor of London’s office.

Mayor Sadiq Khan also reiterated his longstanding support for PrEP initiatives, noting, “the essential role that increasing PrEP access will play in bringing us down to zero new HIV infections”.

He further commended CNWL, “for considering those populations that have not yet seen good take-up of this potentially life-saving intervention”.

Shalini Andrews, Clinical Lead for CNWL’s Sexual Health Services, said:

“Our new Online PrEP Service demonstrates our commitment to improve access to PrEP for Londoners. This convenient way to access PrEP without the need to attend a clinic will empower people to stay on PrEP, as we stride towards elimination of HIV transmission.”

PrEP is available free on the NHS to anyone at increased risk of HIV, which includes gay, bi and other men-who-have-sex-with-men, trans women, queer people, and anyone whose sexual partners come from countries with higher rates of HIV. A list can be found on this website. 

London residents can order a postal HIV and STI test through CNWL’s partnership with Sexual Health London (www.shl.uk).