FAQs

When you visit a sexual health clinic you will be asked to fill in a form with your name and contact details. We ask your GPs name, not so we can contact him/her but because that is how our service is funded. Our service is confidential. The type of health professional that you see will depend on the reason you are visiting the clinic. If you need to be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), you may need to provide a urine or blood sample.

Yes. We make every effort to meet your wishes. However, this may alter the length of time you are waiting in the clinic, whilst the health professional becomes available.

Not necessarily, it will depend on the reason for your visit. The health professional will discuss this with you during your visit. They will advise you on which test is the most appropriate/necessary but you always have the option to decline any test.

We don't usually tell your GP unless you give us permission to do so. However, if you have been referred to us by your GP we will reply back to them.

This information can be found in the 'Opening Times' section of the website.

No, all our services are completely free. However, with regards to the Erectile Dysfunction service free treatment is not eligible for all. Some clients will incur prescription charges.

Please be aware although we will try to see you as soon as possible, you may have to wait to be seen. You may want to think about your car parking, bus times etc.

Yes, children are welcome, but must not be left unsupervised.

No the service is a walk-in service. However, with regards to the Erectile Dysfunction service users need to ask their GP or other specialist healthcare professional to refer them into the service. Once a referral is made, the Erectile Dysfunction service will organise for an appointment to be made. Referral will require a form to be completed.

No, they will have to attend themselves.

No, it is contraception.

As often as she needs it, but frequent use means she should be seeking advice to be prescribed effective, regular contraception. Emergency contraception is NOT as effective as regular contraception.

It depends where the woman is in her cycle and the time interval between unprotected sex and taking the emergency pill. The pill provider will work this out for you. You may be offered an emergency coil, which is also very effective.

Not from pharmacists but you may be able to from your Family Planning Clinic or GP.

You can go to the websites of PALS or Patient Opinion to leave a compliment or complaint.

False. The age of consent - meaning the age at which people in the UK can legally consent to sex - is 16. This means that you and your partner need to be more than 16 to legally consent to sex. A boy who has sex with a girl under 16 (or 17 in Northern Ireland) is breaking the law, even if the girl agrees to have sex. If the girl is aged between 13 and 15, the boy could go to prison for up to two years. If she is under 13, the boy could be sentenced to life imprisonment. The law considers anyone under 13 to be unable to understand the consequences of having sex, so sex with someone aged 12 or under is illegal whether they have consented to it or not. Our age of consent laws are there to prevent people from being pushed into something they don't understand or aren't ready for. Many young people think that if they feel ready to have sex and they use protection, it is nothing to do with anyone else. But every teenager needs to know the laws and what they mean. Although many young people are mature enough to know how to deal with it if someone tries to get them to have sex, not all teenagers are grown up enough to know what to do. At any age, it is illegal to have sex unless both people agree to it (give their consent).

False. Even though your boyfriend doesn't ejaculate, sperm can still be present in his pre-ejaculatory fluid (the clear, sticky drops that are released when he's aroused). It only takes one sperm to get you pregnant, and the fluid can also contain sexually transmitted infections. Some men aren't aware that they are ejaculating until it's too late, and it's easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment. The only way to be sure of avoiding both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections is to use safe, reliable contracpetion and to make sure you use it properly BEFORE you have sex.

False. Different types of contraceptive pill take different times to kick in. This can range from 0-14 days. Always follow the instructions prescribed with your type of pill, and use an additional form of contraception such as condoms during the time it takes for your choice of pill to become effective.

False. The contraceptive pill should be taken at the same time each day, but is regarded as 'missed' if it is taken more than 12 hours late (three hours late for the mini-pill, although with the mini-pill Cerazette you have a 12 hour window). If you are late in taking your contraceptive, take a pill as soon as you can, then another at the usual time (even if this means taking more than one pill in one day). If more than one pill is missed, the last missed pill should be taken and the rest of the packet taken at the normal time. However, alternative contraception (such as condoms) should also be used for seven days afterwards, just to be on the safe side. If you miss a pill and there are less than seven pills left in the pack, the course should be finished as usual and a new packet started immediately afterwards without a break.

False. The contraceptive pill should be taken at the same time each day, but is regarded as 'missed' if it is taken more than 12 hours late (three hours late for the mini-pill, although with the mini-pill Cerazette you have a 12 hour window). If you are late in taking your contraceptive, take a pill as soon as you can, then another at the usual time (even if this means taking more than one pill in one day). If more than one pill is missed, the last missed pill should be taken and the rest of the packet taken at the normal time. However, alternative contraception (such as condoms) should also be used for seven days afterwards, just to be on the safe side. If you miss a pill and there are less than seven pills left in the pack, the course should be finished as usual and a new packet started immediately afterwards without a break.