Service Disruption Notice: 21st March 2023
It has recently been brought to our attention that some service users have not received their home STI test kits. On investigation, this has happened because of an issue with Royal Mail and customs blocking deliveries coming from the UK.
The issue has now been resolved and all home STI test kits ordered as of 9th March have been posted from within Ireland, via An Post.
For SH:24 service users who may have been affected by these issues, SH:24 are sending a text message with the following instructions:
- if you have not received your test kit, please respond to the text message from SH:24 to let them know and request a replacement test kit.
- if you recieved a message from customs to pay a charge to receive your test kit, do not pay this customs charge and text SH:24 to inform them and request a replacement test kit.
- if you did pay the customs charge to receive your test kit, please contact SH:24 by text to let them know, and so that they can assist you to get a refund.
Please contact SH:24 if you need any assistance.
The HSE free home STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing service is available to anyone aged 17 or older who lives in the Republic of Ireland.
You can:
- order a home test kit online
- return your samples to the lab by post
- get your test results by text message or phone call
If you have symptoms of an STI or need urgent support, you should contact your local STI clinic or GP.
STIs the kits test for
Our home test kits test for:
You may also get a test for hepatitis B or hepatitis C but they’re not always needed.
Order a test kit online
The provider we use for this service is called ‘SH:24’.
You can order a test kit at sh24.ie.
If no kits are available, try again the next morning.
You will get a text message once your kit has been sent.
Taking your samples
Your test kit will include:
- all the equipment you need to collect the samples
- instructions and links to videos on how to take the samples
If you have any problems, you can reply to any text from SH:24 and ask for help. A member of their clinical team will help you.
Returning your samples
You will get a stamped addressed envelope with your kit. Use this to post your samples back to the lab.
You will get a text message when the lab gets your samples.
If there is a problem with your sample (for example, if it is damaged), you will be sent another test kit.
Test results
If all your results are negative, you will get a text message with the results.
If you have a positive result for chlamydia or gonorrhoea, you will get a text message that shows the result. Your text will also explain how to get free care and treatment from an STI clinic.
If you have a reactive blood result for hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV, you will get a phone call with your results. If you have a reactive blood result for syphilis, you will get a text message with your results.
A reactive blood result doesn’t always mean a positive result. It needs to be checked with a blood test taken by a healthcare provider. The SH:24 clinical team will explain this to you and refer you to a public STI clinic for assessment and testing.
Contact
You can contact the service by replying to any of the text messages they send you.
More information
Sexually transmitted infections