This clinic offers a free and confidential service to everyone aged 18 and under. Services include:
-
testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs);
-
contraception (e.g. the pill, implant, injection);
-
free condoms and emergency contraception (the 'morning after pill');
-
pregnancy testing;
-
someone to talk to you about your options if you are pregnant;
-
referral for termination (abortion);
-
someone to talk to for advice or information.
Confidentiality
You have the right to talk to us in confidence and to be treated with respect. We are not allowed to tell anyone you have been here or anything that you say. This is true even if you are under 16.
However, we may have to tell someone if we are worried about you. For example, if you or someone else is being harmed or could be harmed in the future.
If we did need to tell someone we would always try and talk to you about it first. If you are worried about this please ask us.
We will always encourage you to speak to a parent/carer/trusted adult about your visit but you do not have to do so in order to be seen.
You are welcome to bring someone with you for support but you will be offered the chance to speak to us alone at some point during your visit.
Registration
We will need to take some details from you, such as your name and address. All this information is completely confidential.
You can choose how you wish to be contacted - by text (SMS), phone call or letter - but we must have at least one reliable way of contacting you with your results.
Waiting times
We want to give you the best service possible. In order to do so, we need to spend time with you. So sometimes, if we are busy, you may be here for up to a couple of hours. We are efficient, but we never rush.
What happens when you see us?
Depending on what you are here for you may see the health adviser, the sexual health doctor / nurse or the contraceptive nurse.
If you are under 16 or if this is your first visit to the clinic, you will see the health adviser first so that we can check you are safe and explain what will happen during your visit. This is also a chance for you to ask questions, get more information about infections, safer sex or to talk through any worries you may have.
You may have to see a few different members of staff during your visit - this is so that you can get the best advice and care.
You will be asked about your sexual history, medical history, personal questions about what kind of sex you've had, whether you used condoms, that kind of thing.
If you are under 16, we will ask a few more questions to check you're not being harmed. This is a legal requirement we have to do. This will all be explained to you before we start and is nothing to worry about!
Tests for STIs
We check everyone for infections called chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV.
Young men will be offered an examination, a pee in a pot and a blood test.
Young women will be offered an examination, swabs and a blood test.
You will never be forced to have tests you are not happy with.
We will always ask if you want a nurse to be there whilst we do this.
If you prefer to see a male or female doctor/nurse, please let us know and we will arrange this if we can.
Above all, don't worry - we will explain everything to you clearly and if you don't understand. Please ask!
Important: Please do not pee until you have been seen by the doctor or nurse.
Results
Results are usually ready in about seven to ten days.
We can often text you a results message or we may give you a time, date and number to call. Before leaving the clinic, please check whether you need to return to the clinic for a follow-up visit.
Treatment
If you need treatment or contraceptives, they will be given to you in the clinic for free.
Everyone should test for HIV
We test everyone for HIV unless you ask us not to.
Some important facts about HIV:
-
HIV is a virus that damages the immune system.
-
AIDS is an advanced stage of HIV infection when the immune system is very weak.
-
Someone can be infected with HIV and not have any symptoms, sometimes for many years.
-
If you have HIV, medical treatment can keep you well, so it is good to know your HIV status.
-
If you have HIV and do not know about it you could become ill and the infection may be more difficult to treat. You may also pass on the infection to others.
-
If someone is infected with HIV it can usually be detected after four weeks. However, it can take up to three months before it is detectable. So, if you had a risk less than three months ago you may need to repeat the test at a later date.
-
HIV is not passed on every time someone with the infection has sex. Therefore, just because you have a negative result it does not mean that your partner will too. This is why everyone needs to have a test.
So, how was it?
If you have any suggestions, complaints or praise then please fill out a comment card and put it in the box!
