A Visit to Whittall St Clinic
Whittall Street GUM Clinic
We test for all sexually transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV as well as providing sexual health information and clinics especially for young people.
Coming to a sexual health clinic (GUM clinic) may seem a bit daunting, but read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting us, so you know what to expect.
Who’s Welcome?
We welcome people of all ages and from all backgrounds.
You’ll be asked to take a ticket from the machine so you’re seen in turn before being called to a desk.If this is your first visit (or if you haven’t been in for a while), you’ll be asked to complete a registration form (download and complete it before your visit if you want – this will save you some time in reception).
You’ll also be asked to fill in a questionnaire to see if you have any problems, what type of tests would be best for you and who you need to see (you can also download and complete it before your visit).
All your information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
This information helps us decide whether you’ll be seen in the Check Up clinic or if you’ll be seen by a doctor.
Once all the paperwork’s been done, you’ll be shown through to the clinical waiting area. There are separate areas for men and women.
consulting room to talk to you about your problems.
If you have symptoms, the doctor or nurse will need to examine you (more precisely, your genital area) and swabs will be taken to test for infection.
This may be a little uncomfortable but not painful.
For men, swabs are taken from the urethra (where you pee from) and this is why it’s important for men not to pee for at least one hour before their appointment - if they do, signs of infection can be temporarily washed away.
More swabs may be taken for people who have had oral or anal sex.
After the examination, you’ll be asked to provide a urine sample; we also check your blood for syphilis and HIV as part of your sexual health screen.
You may get some results on the day of your visit - depending on your symptoms and the tests you have done. If we find an infection at this visit you’ll be given treatment straight away.
Most positive results take up to two weeks to process, but some take a bit longer.
- an infection is found
- we’ve requested to see you again following a previous infection
-
a test needs repeating
If you don’t give consent for us to text you and your results are negative, we don’t contact you.
If you have no reliable way for us to contact you, or you want to receive results whatever they are, we’ll make an appointment for you to come back.
If you do have an infection, we discuss a process called contact tracing. This involves inviting your partners in (with your consent) to be treated. This helps minimise the spread of the infection to try and make sure everyone involved is safe.
We don’t give your details to your partners.
Other Information
A full check-up may take up to an hour and a half, so please allow this much time for your visit.
If you are attending for a Check Up, blood test, treatment or results only, this shouldn’t take longer than 30-40 minutes.
Please be patient, as there are different clinics running at the same time, so it may seem like someone has been seen before you.
We are a teaching centre and every now and again your doctor or nurse may have a medical or nursing student with them. If you have a problem with this, please say so when you book your appointment.Your tests are only identified by your patient ID number and your date of birth, so it’s really important that, even if you want to protect your identity by using false details, you give us your correct date of birth or one you will remember.
We will only contact you in the way you requested on your registration form, eg. telephone call, letter etc.
Interpreter
Please let the reception staff know when you book your appointment if you need us to arrange an interpreting service for you. Unfortunately, it’s not appropriate to use friends or relatives as interpreters because we’re providing a confidential service.
