Smartkits: Making Sexual Health Services in London Smarter and Fairer

In London, residents can access sexual health services from any borough, a valuable model of open access. But behind the scenes, this freedom of choice creates costly cross-charging between boroughs, especially when people visit clinics outside their area for routine, asymptomatic testing.

To help solve this, a pan-London digital solution was introduced: Smartkits offered through the Sexual Health London (SHL) e-service. These free home testing kits are available via outreach locations and clinics, giving users a discreet, convenient, and reliable alternative to in-person testing.

Between October 2023 and September 2024, SHL reviewed Smartkit usage. They found that 63% of users had previously sought care outside their borough. Redirecting these users to Smartkits significantly reduced unnecessary clinic visits and, crucially, the cross-charging that comes with them.

This innovative approach allows London to maintain accessible sexual health services, while reducing financial strain on local councils. With Smartkits, residents still get the care they need but in a way that’s smarter, more efficient, and better for the system as a whole.

Smart health. Smarter systems. A win for everyone.

Please see abstract here