SH:24 is one of 230 organisations announced nationally as winners of the prestigious business award, in celebration of the Queen’s 92nd birthday this week.

Leading online sexual and reproductive health provider SH:24 has been crowned with the highest official UK award for British businesses: the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The award recognises the not-for-profit’s innovation through a free online STI testing and support service.

This royally good service makes it easier for people to get tested for the four most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Free test kits, information and advice are provided 24 hours a day and the service is quick, discreet and completely confidential.

The team will join this year’s other award winners at a royal reception at Buckingham Palace on 28 June 2018.

SH:24 works in partnership with NHS services with the simple aim of improving health and wellbeing. The service is designed around people’s needs and was developed by a team of public health professionals, sexual health clinicians, designers and academics.

SH:24 has driven the transformation of sexual health services across the country – with online services now the first port of call for people wishing to access sexual and reproductive health services. Elsewhere, SH:24 also offers information, remote clinical support by SMS, webchat and telephone; chlamydia treatment and contraception delivered to the home.

Now, SH:24 is working with NHS Trusts nationwide to transform the way sexual health services are delivered for the benefit of service users, commissioners and healthcare providers alike.

“We are honoured to be receiving recognition in such high places,” said Dr Gillian Holdsworth, Managing Director at SH:24.

“Regular testing is an important part of enjoying a worry-free sex life and looking after your sexual health should be as natural as taking care of any other aspect of your body.

“We launched SH:24 in order to meet the growing demand for easy, hassle-free STI testing with clinical support and the service has been incredibly popular.

“In many areas where we work we have doubled the access to STI testing and with provision of home chlamydia treatment and contraception have improved the sexual and reproductive health experience for thousands of service users.

“Our STI home sampling kits can be used at home, without the need to spend time finding and attending an appointment, particularly in areas where the free NHS services are unavailable or oversubscribed.”