Queenstown’s first HIV home test kit vending machine
Queenstown's first HIV home test kit vending machine has been installed at a local GPs.
The machine, funded by Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, is located at The Doctors Whakatipu on McBride Street, Frankton.
Queenstown was chosen as a location for one of their vending machines because of its transient population - migrant workers, tourists and the LGBTQIA+ community who live in the region.
"It’s been important for Burnett Foundation Aotearoa to find strategic partners around the motu where at-risk populations can easily and discreetly grab a free kit and test themselves at home," a spokesperson for the Foundation says.
"People need to test so they know their status. Today there is an effective treatment so people can live well and not pass it on to their sexual partner/s."
The Foundation has been at the forefront of the community response to HIV and AIDS in Aotearoa for nearly 40 years and has a goal to end HIV transmission in Aotearoa New Zealand by 2030.
Dr Kim Hurst, co-owner of the practice and Medical Clinical Director at Green Cross Health, says they're stoked to add the machine to their clinic
The practice has several LGBTQIA+ patients due to her involvement with the rainbow community and she’s excited to support this initiative.
The take home test is a HIV mouth swab that takes 20 minutes to do.
To access a free HIV test kit through the vending machine, simply touch the screen to start and follow the instructions. You will need to provide a working mobile number or email to receive the confirmation code - but don't worry, these are kept confidential and safe.
Once you've gone through the questions and entered your confirmation code, a test will pop out in a plain brown box for your discretion and all instructions on how to take the test are inside.
If the test is positive Burnett Foundation Aotearoa will support you and link you into appropriate services so you can access treatment.
The Doctors Whakatipu also has a patient kiosk for blood pressure, height and weight checks. This is set to 'tourist mode' to enable the local population - including those who are not always eligible for NZ health services - to access basic health data.
If you need access to a GP and healthcare team, The Doctors Whakatipu is open for casual and enrolled patients at their Frankton and Shotover practices. The Doctors Whakatipu (Frankton) is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.
