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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you believe you have Coronavirus (COVID-19), or have developed a continuous cough, have a fever/high temperature, loss of smell or taste, or have come into contact in the last 14 days with someone who has; then please do NOT come into Sandyford. For further information about Coronavirus please visit NHS Inform.

PrEP

COVID-19: Service Update

Sandyford Sexual Health Services has moved to delivering its most urgent services only, due to COVID-19. This is so we can ensure we keep patients and staff safe. This means that in line with government guidelines, we are minimising face-to-face work and prioritising those with the most urgent care needs. We appreciate your patience as we do this.

The following temporary changes are required:

We can now review people who wish to start or restart PrEP
People already taking PrEP will still be given appointments.
Your initial appointment will be by telephone, after which we will discuss how we arrange testing and supply of medication.
You can only attend clinics in person if you have made an appointment before you arrive. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no services are available without an appointment.
If you think you need a Sandyford service please call 0141 211 8130 to organise an appointment. The staff at Sandyford will ask you questions and give you an appointment if required.
Please do not bring any other person with you to your appointment including children, partners, friends or family members. They will be asked to wait outside the building.
You are asked to wear a face covering when you attend as per Government advice.

Please click here for more information on the temporary changes to Sandyford services and locations.

Guidance on stopping PrEP safely

PrEP is very flexible if your circumstances change.

If you are planning to stop having sex you may wish to stop daily dosing PrEP.

Before you stop cis* men should carry on taking PrEP for another two sex-free days.

Everyone else should carry on taking PrEP for seven sex-free days. This includes when PrEP is being taken for vaginal/frontal protection.

*Cis man refers to anyone who was assigned male at birth and who still identifies as a man.

Guidance on starting PrEP safely

If you have not had sex since stopping PrEP then it's okay to start taking it again as usual.

If you're a cis man* you should take a double dose 2-24 hours before sex. You can then continue with either daily dosing or event based dosing.

Everyone else should take daily doses for seven days before sex. This includes for vaginal/frontal protection.

*Cis man refers to anyone who was assigned male at birth and who still identifies as a man

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, PrEP for short, is a medication that can be taken by anyone who is HIV negative to lower their risk of HIV infection.

PrEP is for anyone irrespective of their gender and sexuality.

How does PrEP work?

"Pre-exposure" means before sex and "prophylaxis" means to prevent infection.

PrEP is a combination of two medicines (tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine) taken as one pill. It prevents HIV infection by stopping HIV genes from getting into Human DNA. PrEP needs to be taken regularly and consistently to keep the level of drug high enough to prevent infection.

How do I access PrEP at Sandyford?

If you think that PrEP might be right for you, ask at any one of our clinics and we will give you information and ask if you want to arrange a follow up appointment.

Alternatively you can book an appointment using our online booking system to come in and speak to us about starting PrEP.

What If I'm taking PrEP bought privately?

If you are taking PrEP you have bought online and would like to discuss your individual situation with our clinical team please contact us on 0141 211 8130. We are very happy to talk to you about monitoring your PrEP use and your sexual health.

Your PrEP questions answered

HIV Scotland website

Information about HIV

NHS Inform website

PrEP is prescribed to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, as assessed by a sexual health doctor.

You must be all of:

Aged 16 or over.
Have a confirmed HIV negative test in a sexual health clinic.
Able to attend for regular 3 month reviews.
Willing to stop taking PrEP when no longer eligible.
Resident in Scotland.

Plus, fulfill one or more of the following criteria:

Current sexual partner, irrespective of gender, of people who are HIV positive with a detectable viral load.
Men who have sex with men* and transgender women with a documented bacterial rectal STI in the last 12 months.
Men who have sex with men* and transgender women reporting condomless penetrative anal sex with two or more partners in the last 12 months and likely to do so again in the next three months.
Individuals, irrespective of gender, at an equivalent high risk of HIV acquisition, as agreed with another specialist clinician.

*Includes transgender men

Manage your sexual health online

Book, cancel & reschedule PrEP appointments online.

Online Booking

How does PrEP fit in with Safer Sex?

PrEP is not a catch-all safer sex strategy, it only protects against HIV infection. You could still get other STIs like gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia. As condoms are still the best way to prevent these and other STIs we recommend that you use condoms too. As part of taking PrEP you will be asked to have regular HIV and STI tests to ensure the medication is working. This means if you're taking PrEP you will have regular opportunities to discuss your sexual health needs with health professionals.

PrEP in Scotland booklet

Download (pdf)

What to expect at Sandyford

All the information you need about your visit to Sandyford. Before, during and after the appointment.

What To Expect at Sandyford