Better Clinics. Better Go.
- What happens at clinics
- How clinics work
- Your rights in the clinic
- Information and support if diagnosed with herpes, HIV or hepatitis
Downloads about sex and
sexual health
What happens at clinics?
At sexual health clinics you can get tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections. They're usually part of a hospital. Confidentiality is guaranteed by law and your clinic records cannot be shown to your GP (family doctor) or insurance companies.
But if you go to your GP first and they refer you in writing to a clinic, then the clinic writes to your GP to say what tests or treatment you've had. These details go on your GP records. But you can ask your GP not to put information about your sex life in your notes.
Many gay men prefer to go straight to a clinic, not their GP, for hepatitis vaccinations, HIV tests, check-ups or treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
What do you call yours?
"GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinic" "STD ('sexually transmitted disease') clinic" "STI (sexually transmitted infection) clinic" "VD clinic" "the special clinic" "the 'clap' clinic."
What clinics can do for you:
At most clinics you can get free...
- sexual health check-ups
- tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections
- HIV tests
- information and advice about a healthy sex life
- you can talk to someone like a health adviser if you have something on your mind
- free vaccinations against hepatitis B and often hepatitis A
- condoms and water-based lubricant
- a confidential service.
Some clinics have special times for gay men but you don't have to use these, you can use the regular clinic times.
- This article was last reviewed on: 11/10/2011
- Date due for next review: 11/10/2013
