Type: Our services

No. Our waiting rooms are unisex.

Please ask at reception if you would prefer to be seen by a doctor of the same sex as yourself. We will try to accommodate your request depending on clinic staffing that day. If you call in advance, we can try to arrange for you see a doctor of the same sex.

We need to know your name, date of birth and postcode as a minimum to register you in our services. Most patients prefer to provide lots of information upfront and answer all the questions on the registration form online or in the clinic. This is because it helps the professional seeing them to understand more quickly what help and treatment they need.

A few patients are reluctant to provide us with their correct name, address or contact details. These details are important for us as we often need them to book investigations like ultrasound scans, refer you to another hospital specialist or contact you to inform you that you have an infection.

You are welcome to bring someone with you to the clinic. However, because the information we discuss during your consultation is personal and sometime sensitive, we prefer to see you on your own for at least part of the consultation.

All of our services are totally confidential. You don’t need your parents’ permission and you don’t have to tell them if you don’t want to.  You will not have any information about your attendance in our services passed on to anyone outside of the sexual health services (like your parents, teachers, social workers, etc.) without your knowing about it and agreeing to it.

In exceptional circumstances, where you or someone else is in a dangerous situation and telling someone else about this may prevent you or them from being harmed, a member of staff will be required to pass on information without your permission. However they would still inform you of what they were going to do.

Not routinely but if you have any care/treatment that we feel the GP needs to know about we would inform him or her, but only with your consent.

You will normally see a doctor or nurse. Your clinician will first read through the answers you’ve given on your registration form. It helps them when this is as detailed as possible. They will then need to ask you some questions which can include personal questions. For example, why you have come to the clinic, any genital problems, information about your last sexual partners and the type of sex you have.

He or she may examine you and will recommend any tests needed and whether you need to see a health adviser. Seeing a health adviser is normal if you have been diagnosed with an infection, have been sexually assaulted, are under 16 years of age, require short-term counselling or are worried and want more information about your sexual health. Health advisers can help you let your partner(s) know if they are at risk of an infection to encourage them to come in for testing and treatment.

It is important to answer the questions honestly because the tests and/or treatment you have will be based on your answers. If you are unsure why some of the questions are asked, ask your doctor, nurse or health advisor to explain.

When you arrive at the clinic, you will need to check-in at reception. If you haven’t booked online, you’ll also need to complete a registration form. You will then take a seat in the waiting area and a doctor or nurse will call you when they’re ready to see you.

Yes!

We’re sorry we aren’t nearer to you at this time, but there will be a free NHS sexual health service nearby. You can put your postcode into the NHS clinic finder tool to find your nearest service.