The demand for private sexual health testing has more than tripled since the COVID-19 pandemic began according to data and sales figures gathered by Your Sexual Health. The UK’s leading provider of private sexual health testing services have attributed this increase in demand to a reduced availability of STD testing services offered by the NHS.
Google search trend analysis researched by Your Sexual Health shows that there were 390 searches for ‘private sexual health clinic’ in February 2020, with the number rising to an impressive 1,900 in August 2022 and then slightly dropping to 1,300 in October this year due to seasonal demand, but still above the average before the start of the pandemic.
The rise in demand is even more apparent when looking at the bigger picture. While 1890 people searched for private STD-related queries in February 2020, there were over 4 times more people (7960) searching for private STD testing in August 2022, which shows that a significantly higher number of people decide to go private and this is due to multiple factors.
Searches for Private Sexual Health Clinic per Month
The rise in demand is even more apparent when looking at the bigger picture. While 1890 people searched for private STD-related queries in February 2020, there were over 4 times more people (7960) searching for private STD testing in August 2022, which shows that a significantly higher number of people decide to go private and this is due to multiple factors.
Total Searches for Private STD-related Queries over Time
Paul Marks, Director for Your Sexual Health, said: “Our customers tell us that the shorter appointment waiting times, faster turnaround and guaranteed confidentiality of the service are the main reasons why they decide to opt for private STD testing.”
Then he continues: “Despite the significant increase in public awareness of STIs and demand for sexual health services in the past 10 years, the Government has continued to impose budget cuts, resulting in inadequate sexual health services. This December there will be even more strain on public services following NHS nurse strikes which will directly and indirectly impact many services.”
“January has always been a really busy month for STD testing following the Christmas party season, with more people socialising and enjoying themselves around the World Cup,” adds Paul. “This January could be even busier and it would seem that people are desperate to find a way of getting testing due to ever increasing shortages of NHS services.”
These insights support the findings of a recent study published in the British Medical Journal that looked into the access and quality of sexual health services during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that patients reported ‘unflexible appointment systems’ and ‘concerns about reduced privacy’ as some of the main reasons for ‘perceived quality reductions’ of those services. The increased demand for private STD testing, however, indicates that the quality of public sexual health services is not yet at the expected standard even post-pandemic.
In addition to those factors, individuals are also looking for more comprehensive testing. “Our most popular product in the last 2 years has been our premium profile test, which tests for 11 STIs, some of which can go undiagnosed by the NHS’ routine tests,” Paul Marks adds. “When it comes to sexual health, there is no time to wait. While many STIs can be treated, some of them can have a long-term impact on individuals, especially if left undiagnosed for a long time. So, it’s understandable why they are willing to go private if that means getting diagnosed sooner.”
Your Sexual Health meets the needs of patients by offering them a convenient alternative to NHS screening services. To find out more visit www.yoursexualhealth.co.uk or contact the business on 0161 660 2599.
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