HOBART, Tasmania, 3rd April 2024 - Latest data shows Tasmanians are being forced to wait up to four weeks for a sexual health clinic appointment which is putting pressure on a perilous situation for sexual transmitted infection (STI) rates across the state.
Dr Mitchell Tanner, Medical Director at Stigma Health said “It’s clear that face-to-face appointments cannot be the only answer for sexual health testing and more people need to be aware that they can access these services online and more efficiently through providers like Stigma Health. Access to STI testing and sexual health services in a non-judgemental and online environment is critical to the uplift of testing rates.”
Data released in the latest Kirby Report* pointed to significant increases in STIs across Tasmania, notably:
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Infectious syphilis seeing a 244% increase in 2022, off the back of a steady rate since 2017.
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Chlamydia rates are at their highest since 2016.
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Gonorrhoea is the highest ever recorded in the last 10 years of the Kirby Report.
Cameron Brown, CEO of TasCahrd echoed Dr Tanner’s concerns, saying “We only have two major sexual health clinics in the state and this is causing a backlog of appointments that is only adding to community safety concerns. TasCahrd is a huge advocate for early detection to improve sexual health by enabling the opportunity for early intervention.”
The Federal Government’s latest STI awareness campaign stopped short of bringing awareness to online services.
"Stigma Health was encouraged to see the Government's latest campaign, however knowing that seeing a doctor face-to-face is a huge turn-off for young people accessing testing, promoting the fact that online services were available should've been a crucial part of the campaign" Dr Tanner explained.
Stigma Health offers comprehensive testing as recommended by the Australian STI Management Guidelines, with a bulk-bill option. Access is available through www.stigmahealth.com or via the Stigma Health app.
-ENDS-
References:
*https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents/Annual-Surveillance-Report-2023_STI.pdf
Image credit:
Shutterstock 2274209115 (LightField Studios)
Key Facts:
- STI infections skyrocket in Tasmania
- Online clinic delivers much needed support due to lack of sexual health services on the ground
- Push to increase awareness of testing options as part of latest Government campaign to drive early detection
About us:
About Stigma Health
Stigma Health is making sexual health sexy AF!
Established in 2015 by practitioner Dr Mitchell Tanner and rugby-playing accountant and entrepreneur James Sneddon, these two blokes are on a mission to make STI testing available to every Aussie who’s DTF. That means removing the need for that awkward face-to-face doctor visit that is just cringe (*dead*). Stigma Health is already Australia’s largest sexual health clinic group, delivering STI testing to over 30,000 lovers, through an online, discreet, convenient sexual health service. So, no more excuses honey - download the Stigma Health app or visit www.stigmahealth.com and get tested today!
Contact details:
For any questions in relation to this release or to discuss interviews, please contact:
Nicole Papoutsis
0422 418 099