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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.

Testing

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.

Temporary changes are necessary:

All testing services for people without symptoms is suspended.
Primary care (GPs, health centres) are also suspending all chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing.
You can only attend clinics if you have made an appointment before you arrive. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no services are available without an appointment.
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.

If you think you have an STI the earlier you’re tested the sooner you can be treated if needed. We provide express testing, appointment based clinics and drop ins so you can choose the right option for you

Why Test for STIs?

It's important to test if you have any symptoms that may be due to an STI but also if you've had a change in sexual partner or a partner has had an STI. Often people with STI’s have no symptoms so it is always worth being tested if there has been a risk of infection and you haven't tested recently.

Common STI symptoms

pain when you pass urine (pee)
itching, burning or tingling around the genitals
new discharge from the genitals or anus
blisters, sores, spots or lumps around the genitals or anus
bleeding between periods or after sex
pain during sex
lower abdominal pain
rash over the body with flu like symptoms

When to Test

If you have symptoms or had contact with an infection it is important to be seen as soon as possible. Please call us on 0141 211 8130 to make an appointment.

If you don’t have symptoms it can sometimes be better to wait to test as it can take some time for your body to show signs of infection for our tests to find. Please consider the information below before taking a test. If it's done too early it may not be accurate.

It can take two weeks after sex, for chlamydia and gonorrhoea to show up on a test
An HIV test is highly accurate 4 weeks after sex
Syphilis can take up to 12 weeks to show up on a test after sex

If you are worried about the risk of HIV exposure in the last 72 hours please ring us on 0141 211 8130 as you may need treatment, PEP, to prevent infection.

How to Test

Getting tested is really easy. When you attend we will need to ask you some questions about your general health and sex life so we know which are the right tests to offer you. Generally everyone will be offered chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV tests. Sometimes we test for further infections if needed this will be discussed with you on the day.

HIV and Syphilis is tested for by taking a blood sample

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are tested for by swabs in women and in men a urine sample and, if needed, swabs also. If you don’t have symptoms you can take these samples yourself.

How to take an anal swab

How to take a vaginal swab

Manage your sexual health online

Book, cancel and reschedule sexual health testing appointments online.

Book Online

If you think you may have symptoms please call for an appointment.

Call 0141 211 8130

Talking to us about your sexual health

To make sure you get the best care possible during your visit Sandyford staff may ask personal and sensitive questions about your medical and sexual history, such as:

when you last had sex
whether you've had unprotected sex
whether you have any symptoms
why you think you might have an infection

Staff are not there to judge you. Anything you say will not shock or embarrass us but you do need to be honest so we can best test, treat and support you. Everything you say will be kept confidential to our electronic record system unless, with your permission, we require to share information so we can refer you to another service. In very rare situations staff might need to share information for your own protection. You can choose to see a male or female health professional if you prefer, but you might have to wait longer than usual if the clinic is busy.

Confidentiality

We offer a confidential service and will not share identifiable information about you with anyone without your permission unless we are legally required to do so, or if we believe that you or another person is in danger or there is a risk to health. We encourage you to use your real name when you attend and it will be kept securely on our electronic record in Sandyford.

Self Testing Information

At many of our services we run test only clinics to make your routine sexual health check up as easy and hassle free as possible. When you arrive for your test only appointment you will be asked to complete a self taken history form. The practitioner seeing you will offer you a full sexual health check; however, they will not be able to answer any clinical questions you may have about your sexual health or sexually transmitted infections. If you have any other needs or there are other supports required they will organise the next appropriate appointment for you to have these needs met by a member of the clinical team. If you do not have any symptoms you will not need to be examined by a practitioner. This means you can take your own Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing swabs. Including

Men - Urine sample
Men - Self Taken Throat Swab
People who receive anal sex - Self Taken Rectal Swab
People who receive vaginal sex - Self Taken Vaginal Swab.

The practitioner seeing you will give you instructions and talk you through how to take the self taken tests, there will also be written information to help guide you. If the practitioner seeing you does not offer you a self testing option then you can discuss this with them.

Some of the most common conditions to test for are:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK and is easily passed on during sex. Most people don't experience any symptoms, so they are unaware they're infected.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI easily passed on during sex. About 50% of women and 10% of men don't experience any symptoms and are unaware they're infected.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that in the early stages causes a painless, but highly infectious, sore on your genitals or around the mouth. The sore can last up to six weeks before disappearing.

HIV

HIV is a long term health condition which is now very easy to manage. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus targets the immune system and if untreated, weakens your ability to fight infections and disease.

Genital warts

Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around your genital or anal area.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is the same virus that causes cold sores.

Getting your results

Your questions answered about getting your results after being tested.

Getting My Results

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

Testing & Treatment Patient Information

Pubic Lice & Scabies

Further information

Pelvic Infammatory Disease

Further information

Genital Skin Care

Further information