Publish date: 15 April 2024
Sexual health service in North Tyneside to temporarily relocate
The North Tyneside sexual health service is to temporarily relocate.
The service, which is currently delivered from the One-to-One Centre in Shiremoor, is commissioned by North Tyneside Council for residents in the borough aged 13 and over and is delivered by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Patient and staff safety must always be the top priority, and concerns over the state of the service’s current home, on Brenkley Avenue, means it will temporarily close and relocate from 1pm on Thursday, April 18.
Those who need to access sexual health services between the afternoon of Thursday April 18 and Thursday April 25, can book an appointment at the Dudley Centre at John Willie Sams, Market Street, Dudley, NE23 7HS on a Wednesday or the Howdon Centre at 11A Howdon Lane, Howdon, Wallsend, NE28 0AL on a Thursday.
Alternatively, people can also access the Blyth One-to-One Centre which is located on Thoroton Street, NE24 1DX, via a booked appointment or they can drop in.
From Friday, April 26, the service that was provided from Shiremoor will be delivered from what is currently ward 9, on the ground floor of North Tyneside General Hospital.
Ensuring the space and environment on the ward is adapted as needed to make patients feel comfortable is a key focus. The trust is aware how important privacy is for patients and people can be reassured that their privacy and confidentiality will be maintained at all times.
Patients will access the service by the same telephone numbers –
Appointments already made and regular appointments should be attended as usual. Opening times will remain unchanged and are regularly updated on the website.
Teresa Creighton, deputy director for community services at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “We appreciate how vital the sexual health service is and that moving what is a community service onto a hospital site isn’t ideal. Patient and staff safety must always come first whenever we are caring for people. We have explored all options, and this is the most viable one for everyone involved. This service is a sensitive one, so it is crucial that it is located in an appropriate environment to ensure our patients feel safe physically and emotionally, that their privacy is respected and that they are comfortable.
“We will be offering some additional clinics in community venues, and I am sure this will be welcomed by people. Information about these clinics will be on the website. If anyone has any queries or concerns, they should please ring the sexual health service telephone numbers and we will do what we can to help.”
The trust is working closely with North Tyneside Council in relation to where the service will be located in the future and patients and the public will be kept informed.
Wendy Burke, director of public health, North Tyneside Council, said: “It is important that any health service is delivered in a safe, welcoming, and accessible location. This temporary move will ensure the borough’s sexual health offer is delivered in a space that reflect these priorities.
“Having health services available in our communities is important, the additional community provision will help us reach residents in their neighbourhoods, where they are comfortable to talk about their needs in private spaces and can access services quickly and safely.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners in the NHS to secure the long-term future of the service, based on the needs of our residents.”
Care provided by the service is free, delivered face-to-face and, if appropriate, virtually too and includes:
- Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PReP) treatment
- HIV testing
- Cervical smears
- Support and advice
- Free contraceptive advice and contraception including condoms, contraceptive pills, implants and coils
- Vasectomy
- Free emergency contraception
- Free pregnancy tests, confidential advice, pregnancy decision making support and referrals.
Further information is available at https://
Media contact
Cara Charlton on cara.