For Young People

Yes, but the only way to be sure to prevent STIs is by not having sex.

You can lower your risk by only having sex with someone who isn't having sex with anyone else and who doesn't have an STI, and by always using condoms.

More on Prevention of Infection

Anybody who has had sex or is worried that they might have come into contact with a sexually transmitted infection should have an STI test.

Ideally you should to your nearest GUM (or Sexual Health) clinic. If you don't live near Oxford or Banbury, you can find your nearest clinic at http://www.bashh.org.

Your GP may be able to perform some of the tests, but you'll get more specialist advice and treatment at a GUM clinic. Some CASH (Contraceptive and Sexual Health) clinics - formerly known as Family Planning Clinics - may offer sexual health services and/or advice.

The Alec Turnball Clinic in Temple Cowley is a CASH clinic and can be contacted on 01865 45 66 66.

Special laws exist to protect personal information at a GUM clinic, so all information you provide stays confidential.

A particular set of laws apply to information relating to those between 13 and 15 years of age called the Fraser Guidelines, which allow Health Professionals to prescribe contraceptive and other medication without parental/carer knowledge.

No information about your attendance here will be passed on to anyone outside of the GUM service (like your parents, teachers, GP/family doctor, social worker) without your knowing about it and agreeing to it.

The only time this may be different is if you tell us that you or someone else is in a dangerous situation and our telling someone else may prevent you or them from being harmed. If a member of staff felt that they had to pass on information without your permission, they would still inform you of what they were going to do.

More on confidentiality

We hope that if you attend our GUM service you are made to feel welcome and comfortable. If you attend our GUM service you have the right:

• To be treated with respect
• To be listened to
• Not to be patronised
• Not to be judged
• Not to be discriminated against

Yes, it is fine to give a false name. However it is helpful if you remember it for when you need to return!

It is advisable to give your real date of birth and make sure the clinic has a means of contacting you in order to let you know about an infection that needs treatment.

Most people refer themselves to the clinic. You do not need to be referred through your GP.

The clinic in Oxford offers a specific clinic for those under 19 years called "Wellsafe". This takes place between 3.30 - 6pm every Wednesday afternoon. No appointment is needed but it is good idea to arrive as early as possible as patients are seen on a first come - first served basis.

Booked appointments are available throughout the week. It is best to ring the clinic about 48-hours in advance of a proposed clinic visit.

If you have symptoms of an infection at other times, please phone a health advisor on (01865) 231231, option 3 or outside clinic hours the doctor on call can be contacted. If you feel it is not an emergency, other sources of information are available by going to http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ or calling 0845 46 47.

You will be asked to give a name, your date of birth and if you have previously attended the service.

The Oxford GU Medicine clinic used to be called the Harrison Department. It was based in the Radcliffe Infirmary Hospital in the centre of Oxford until February 2007. If you visited us there, your notes will have been transferred to the Churchill Hospital when we moved. You will not need to re-register.

If you are calling for advice or information the receptionist may ask what it is to do with in order to direct you to the appropriate person.

If you are coming to the clinic for the first time, you will be asked to register so that a set of notes can be made up for you with a confidential number. You can provide as little or as much information as you like but it is helpful to have a means of contacting you in case, for example, we need to let you know about an infection that needs treatment.

More about registration

It looks very much like a GP surgery. There are waiting rooms, consulting rooms for the doctors and health advisors, examination and treatment rooms for the nurses and an onsite laboratory where some tests are processed on the day.

The doctor, nurse or sexual health advisor will ask some questions to build up a picture of your sexual history and help decide what tests need to be done.

Quite often young people will see a health advisor before seeing the doctor to discuss any concerns and answer any questions and, if under 16 years, to explain the Fraser Guidelines. See confidentiality for more information.

• What made you decide to visit the clinic today?
• When did you last have sex?
• Was that a male or female?
• What type of sex was it? Was it anal sex / vaginal sex / oral sex?
• Have you ever been for an STI screen in the past? Have you been diagnosed with an STI before?
• Are you on any medication?

It is important to answer truthfully, as the tests you have will be based on your answers. Ask for an explanation if you are unsure why some of the questions are being asked.

Some people do feel embarrassed about sex, but clinics are non-judgemental places and our staff are trained to discuss difficult issues and situations that can arise.

We can arrange for you to be seen by someone of a particular gender, if this will help to put your mind at rest. Please ask about this when you book an appointment or at the registration desk upon arrival.

The doctor will decide what tests to do based on information from your sexual history. These may include one or more of the following:

• Urine test - try not to go to the toilet for two hours before the test
• Blood tests
• Samples (sometimes called swabs) for various infections from the urethra, vagina, cervix (neck of the womb), throat or rectum
• The doctor may use something called a speculum to examine female patients

HIV testing is routinely offered at our clinics. You may want to have an HIV test depending on your concerns and sexual history. You will probably be referred to a health advisor to discuss this issue further, answer any questions you may have and to decide on the best way to receive your test results.

More about examinations

The swabs/tests aren't painful but they can sometimes be a little uncomfortable. If you are worried about any of the tests, always speak to the doctor or nurse that is doing them beforehand.

More about examinations

Some test results may be given on the day of testing, although most tests will be sent to the hospital laboratory. These results will be available one week to 10 days later.

Sometimes results are sent via text message, sometimes patients arrange to telephone us, or you may be asked to return for another appointment.

All tests and treatment are free, along with condoms (latex and non-latex), dental dams and lubricants.

We are part of the Oxfordshire-wide Safety C-Card Condom scheme that distributes condoms free of charge to those between 13 - 19 years. See http://www.spired.com/ for more information and to sign up for the scheme. You may collect more condoms from us on presentation of an existing card.

First the doctor, nurse or health advisor will talk to you about the nature of the infection and what sort of treatment it will involve.

Where appropriate, we also discuss the importance of contacting current or previous sexual partners. This is essential in terms of stopping the spread of infections. You can do this on your own, or we can sometimes do that on your behalf. This is called Provider Referral.

It depends on whether you are in a long-term relationship and whether you think you may have been in contact with an STI.

The main thing is to have a check-up if you think you have been at risk of infection.

Some infections may not show up immediately. It can take between two to three weeks for Chlamydia to show up and up to three months for HIV.

Some people have a check up once a year for their own peace of mind, regardless of number of sexual partners. Other people will have a check up together with a new sexual partner when they enter into a relationship.