HIV Testing Week occurs every year during the first week of June. This health awareness week aims to encourage clinicians to incorporate HIV testing into their practice. In this podcast we hear from Clinical Professor Louise Owen who shares the need to test for HIV more often and 'rule out' HIV as a cause when a patient presents with possible symptoms. Then we hear from Dianne Nyoni, a heterosexual woman living with HIV. She shares her experience despite not being a member of the groups that would typically be thought of when offering HIV testing. More information: The SESLHD Blood Borne Virus ..read more

In this episode we take a steamy look at what it is like to offer sexual health testing in a sex on premises venue (SOPV). First we meet Ty, one of the managers of 357 Sydney City Steam. He takes us on a guided tour through what it is like to visit a sauna and shares some of his inspiration for making 357 a welcoming space for a diverse clientele. He also gives us a sneak peak at some of the plans for their new venue. Then we hear from Timmy, a former SSHC CNC, who conducted sexual health testing at 357. He tells us about the benefits and challenges of offering sexual health testing in a non-c ..read more

Trans and gender diverse healthcare is often seen as a niche specialty. Though there are things that we can all be doing to make sure we are affirming and welcoming. In this podcast we discuss the structural barriers trans and gender diverse people face when accessing health services, some of the services available, the new LGBTIQ+ NSW Health Strategy, and how we can all help create gender affirming services in healthcare or in the broader community. Resources: Information: https://www.transhub.org.au/ https://auspath.org.au/ https://www.wpath.org/ Services: https://gendercentre.org.au/ https ..read more

In this episode we meet Bronwyn Leece. Bronwyn has worked in sexual health promotion since the 1980s. She shares her experiences of working in sexual health education in schools, the impacts of HIV/AIDS on the work through the 80s and 90s, her time working in India, the evolution of sexual health promotion over this time, more recent resources for parents, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Resources: Talk Soon Talk Often (WA) https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/articles/s_t/talk-soon-talk-often Talk Soon Talk Often (NSW) https://talksoontalkoften.wordpress.com/ Host: Thomas Munro (he/him) G ..read more

In this episode we meet Mel, a heterosexual woman living with HIV who was diagnosed in western Sydney. She is a mum, works fulltime, and is on the board of Positive Life NSW. She shares her experience of diagnosis in Australia and offers some advice for heterosexual people living with HIV and shares how she found her community. Resources: https://www.positivelife.org.au/ To stay up to date with the latest information in sexual health, follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/SydneySHC https://twitter.com/SydneySHC https://www.instagram.com/sydneysexualhealth/ https://www.linkedin.co ..read more

On this episode we meet Clinical Nurse Specialist Cherie Bennett. Cherie wears many hats, including being a sessional academic at the University of Wollongong, CHART Program Manager at the Kirby Institute, a medical educator at ASHM, and working here at Sydney Sexual Health Centre. Her diverse career has seen her work in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. She shares some of her insights and advice for anybody interested in a career in HIV and sexual health, or including sexual health into your clinical practice. Resources: https://pro.playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au/tools/youth-friendly-checklist https ..read more

In this episode of the podcast we discuss how to make services more welcoming to young people. Wherever we work, we will have young people attend our services either as consumers or family members of those who are. We can all benefit from hearing some tips to improve how welcoming our services are. I'm joined by SESLHD youth health program manager Stanya Sharota, and peer youth educator Anna Danyushevsky to discuss their work and effective ways to engage young people. Young people experience higher rates of STIs and lower screening rates than the general population, so there are also tips on h ..read more

Syphilis is a disease that has been shrouded in myth and stigma over the centuries. Here in Australia we have been seeing increased cases of this disease that used to be known as 'the great pox' across Europe. Luckily today it is easily treated and cured with penicillin. To tell us more about Syphilis presentations we see here at SSHC we're joined by Dr Melissa Lam. Then to speak more about the history of syphilis, priorities for prevention and treatment in NSW, and some of the current research taking place we speak with Dr. Phillip Read. Host: Thomas Munro Guests: Dr. Melissa Lam(Registrar, S ..read more

In this episode of the podcast we discuss Monkeypox. First Dr. Katie Burkitt takes us through the symptoms, how to keep yourself and your partners safe, and how the Australian outbreak differs from cases overseas. Then we are joined by Anik Ray to discuss vaccine supply and the rapid deployment of the SESLHD monkeypox vaccination hub at The Albion Centre. We hear about how this was made possible through an agile and responsive team of clinicians, community partners, and IT working together to meet community needs. Host: Thomas Munro Guests: Dr. Katie Burkitt(Registrar, SSHC) Anik Ray (CNC, SSH ..read more

In this edition of the podcast I am joined by Lia and Jane, accredited practicing dietitians who work at the Albion Centre. We have started offering a nutrition clinic for SSHC consumers on Fridays. We discuss why nutrition is important to consider in relation to sexual health. We also have a discussion about the future of sustainable food in Australia and the growing interest of entomophagy: the eating of insects as part of a healthy diet. Resources to help support health eating: Apps: 8700 app Food switch app Websites https://www.healthyliving.nsw.gov.au/ https://www.healthyliving.nsw.gov.au ..read more