Sexual Health Messaging Service

The controversial Sexual Health Messaging Service, which now allows men to alert previous partners when they are diagnosed with an infection, is set to be rolled out to more clinics and websites with funding from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The GMFA has worked with a number of high profile sites/organisations to develop this service,which enables users to notify past partners if a man becomes infected, and they are urging men to opt in to receiving the messages.

After receiving a diagnosis at a clinic, the system offers users a unique PIN code to access the online SHMS service.

The system, will now be rolling out to cover more sexual health centres.

Once there, contact details for recent sexual partners can be typed in, from mobile phone numbers to profile names.


Although messages can be sent anonymously, the GMFA believe that the recipient may be more likely to take action if a name is included.


Gaydar users will be presented with the option to either opt in or opt out of the service when they log on.

GMFA tell us they polled over 3,000 members of British gay dating sites in 2010, asking if they would like to be told if a recent partner is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection. Over 98% of members said they would like to be informed.

For instructions on how to allow messages on Recon and Fitlads, visit www.gmfa.org.uk/shms.

Published: 1-Dec-2011: (970)