Cúan Cusack joined Damien in studio to discuss the fact that there are no free STI tests available in Waterford.

Cúan is a member of the Pride of the Déise committee and is a concerned citizen.

The STI clinic in University Hospital Waterford is no longer taking appointments due to a staff shortage.

Cúan explains how the HSE offers free at-home STI testing kits that can be posted to your home but Waterford is the only county not on the list.

The HSE launched these kits during lockdowns when people couldn't visit their GP.

Cúan has contacted the HSE asking why Waterford is being excluded but was told they are not contracted to post them here.

They also asked whether tests could be posted in order for them to distribute the tests around the community. The answer was no.

Cúan did mention a loophole in the system.

If you have a friend living in another county, you can ask them to order it to their house and then you can get it from the friend. Cúan believes it's silly to have to lie about your address in order to get a test.

As well as this, you can order it to a ParcelMotel.

To listen to the full conversation, click the link in this podcast.

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