What if I do not speak English?
If English is not your first language, do not worry. We can book an interpreter to come to your appointment. Please ring us on 0344 728 0554, so we can book this for you.

What if I cannot travel to the clinic?
We offer free home testing kits for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). You can order a kit to your house if you:

  • Have no symptoms.
  • Live in Northumberland or North Tyneside.
  • Are age 16 or older.

Click here to order a kit.

If you have STI symptoms, you need to see a nurse or doctor. If you need contraception, you will need to see a nurse or doctor.

We offer appointments Monday to Saturday. We also offer late clinics and outreach locations. To book an appointment, you can ring us on 0344 728 0554.

Do I have to use my real name?
For sexual health appointments, you do not have to use your real name. If you use your real name, we will keep this private. If you use a fake name, it is best to keep using the same one. We will not share any of your details unless you want us to. Our service is completely confidential. We only contact other services, such as your GP, if you agree to this. We would only ever do this without your permission if there is a risk to your health or someone else's

We do need correct contact details for you. This is so we can contact you about results or appointments.

For some of our appointments, you need to use your real name. This is because we need to use your NHS number. These appointments are:

Do I have to pay for your service?
No. All of our services are free. Test results are also free. We can text, email or call you about your results. If you need a letter with your results on, there is a £50 charge. If another health service has asked for this letter, they should contact us. We can send this to them directly, and you will not be charged.

Does your service have disabled access?
Yes. If you need extra support, we will help wherever we can. Please ring us on 0344 728 0554

Who will I see at the clinic?
There are a few different staff members you might see at our clinic.

When you arrive, our reception team will greet you. They can help with general questions and check you in.

Your appointment will be with a clinician. You may see a:

  • Healthcare Assistant.
  • Nurse.
  • Doctor.
  • Health Advisor.

We also sometimes have healthcare students learning in the clinics. We will always ask you if it is okay for them to be present. It is fine if you would prefer them to step out.

Can I bring someone to my appointment with me?
Yes, you can bring someone else to your appointment. There are times when we may have to ask them to step outside. This is so we can ask you some questions alone. We do this to make sure you are safe and can speak freely. They may also need to leave for some procedures, such as a coil fit. This is to make sure there is enough space to do this safely. For these appointments, there will be two clinic staff with you. They will help you to feel at ease and comfortable. You can always ask them to stop at any time.

We also offer chaperones for appointments. This means you can have another staff member present during your appointment. Please let us know if you would like a chaperone. We will always offer this for any kind of intimate test, checkup or procedure.

Will you tell me parent or carer about my appointment?
No. If you are under 16, we may suggest you talk to an adult you trust. This is to help make sure you are safe and have support. But we will not contact them or tell them about your visit.

We would only ever share details about you if we think there is a risk of harm to you or someone else. We will always try to speak to you first before we do this.

How do I get emergency contraception?
Emergency Contraception can prevent a pregnancy after sex. You might need this if you had sex without any type of contraception. It is sometimes called the 'Morning After Pill'.

You can get Emergency Contraception from:

Can I take an STI test if I'm on my period?
Yes you can. It is best to wait until the bleeding is lighter or has stopped. This helps to make it more likely for your results to be correct.

Can I take an STI test when I'm pregnant?
Yes you can. Swabs for tests go inside the lower part of your vagina. This will not affect your baby at all. Pregnancy does not make the test any less accurate.

Can I trust that my test results are correct?
No STI test is 100% accurate. Some STIs do not show up on a test for a while. This can vary between 2 weeks and 3 months after sexual contact. This means you might need to test more than once. Our friendly team will let you know if you need another test.

Can I bring my child to my appointment?
We ask that children do not attend appointments. This helps us focus on your needs and give you the best support possible. Some topics discussed during appointments may not be suitable for children. Thank you for your understanding.

 
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