Sexual Health Services in Grampian, What You Need to Know

This guide answers the questions you may have about Sexual Health Services in Grampian

English

Sexual Health Services in Grampian, what you need to know

October 2009

What are sexual health care services? These services comprise: • FREE contraception including emergency contraception and condoms • Cervical screening and breast awareness • Pregnancy planning and pregnancy testing • Unplanned pregnancy choices including abortion • Help with sexual problems such as impotence, loss of sex drive and infertility • Menopause counselling • Pain relief or any other problem with the genitals • Services for people who have been sexual assaulted • Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV, Chlamydia, and Hepatitis B • HIV treatment, counselling and support • Vaccination for Hepatitis A & B and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) • Sexual wellbeing advice including safer sex • Services for people who are Lesbian, Gay (men who have sex with men), Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) • Support for people who are LGBT and who are facing victimisation or prejudice

1 Do I and my family qualify for FREE NHS sexual health care? Anyone, regardless of status, is entitled to FREE access to NHS health care for the following services: • Contraception • Treatment for STIs, including HIV However it should be noted that other NHS services including primary and hospital care, might not be free to temporary residents from countries outwith the European Economic Area (EEA) and countries that do not have reciprocal health care agreements with the EEA. If you require more information please ask your GP receptionist, practice manager or contact Nigel Firth, Equality and Diversity Manager, NHS Grampian. His contact details are: Nigel Firth, Equality and Diversity Manager, Ground Floor, Room 15, Ashgrove House, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Aberdeen AB25 2ZA Telephone: (01224) 552245 Email: [email protected]

2 Who provides sexual health care services? Sexual health care services are provided in a number of ways. The main providers are: • General Medical Practitioners (GP) • Specialist sexual health providers such as the Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare service known as ‘Square 13’ and the Genitourinary Medicine service, known as the ‘City Clinic’ • Specialist Outreach Sexual Health Services (e.g. for men who have sex with men) • Specialist Outreach Testing Programmes (e.g. postal Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea testing) • Hospital Outpatient Clinics (e.g. Gynaecology, Urology) • Specialist Sexual Assault Centres and the Police • Community Pharmacies • Hospitals • Infectious Disease Units (e.g. HIV infection)

3 What services do GPs provide? A GP is your local personal NHS doctor. GPs are usually the first medical point of contact with the NHS and they provide both advice and treatment. If you are ill or worried about your sexual health or the sexual health of anyone in your family, you should go and see your local GP. The place where you go to see your GP is called either a surgery or a health centre. GPs often work together in a small group called a practice. The benefit of GPs working in small groups is that if for any reason your own GP is not available, you may ask to see another GP in the same practice. Many practices have both male and female GPs. If your faith, religion or culture requires that you or a member of your family are treated by a GP of the same sex, please let the GP receptionist know this when you first go to register. Most surgeries and health centres have wheelchair access and accessible toilets. If treatment or investigation of a sexual health problem is required, the GP will co-ordinate this and ensure that it is provided. Further treatment might be provided by your GP, or by a member of their team such as a practice nurse, midwife or health visitor, or if required, by referral to a specialist doctor called a consultant or to other specialist services. GPs are also keen to promote good health amongst their patients. They and their staff give advice on diet, exercise, healthy living and disease prevention.

4 What are the specialist NHS Grampian sexual health services? NHS Grampian has two specialist sexual health services, these comprise the: • Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare service known as ‘Square 13’ • Genitourinary Medicine service known as the ‘City Clinic’

Both services are based in Aberdeen, but Square 13 also runs a clinic in Fraserburgh twice per month.

Square 13 and the City Clinic provide a wider range of services than provided by your GP and their services can usually be accessed quickly. You can either make an appointment or attend a ‘drop in’ clinic. The services offered by both Square 13 and the City Clinic are detailed below.

Sexual and Reproductive healthcare service known as `Square 13` Square 13 is located at: 13 Golden Square, Aberdeen, AB10 1RH

Tel: 0845 337 99 00 Fax: 01224 555123 Here, you can get: • FREE specialist advice on contraception and reproductive health. All current methods of contraception are provided FREE and are available without a prescription

5 • Testing for STIs, including HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis viruses is available, as is treatment for most STIs • Cervical screening • Breast awareness instruction • Advice on pregnancy planning and pregnancy testing • Advice on unplanned pregnancy choices including abortion • Advice and treatment for sexual problems such as painful sex, impotence • Information and assessment of infertility • Information on menopause and assessment • Information and assessment of problems with the reproductive organs such as pain • Advice, management, and support following sexual assault • ‘Drop in’ Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing, emergency contraception, and pregnancy tests

Clinics at Square 13 • A ‘drop in’ clinic each day, Monday to Friday 9am to 11am • An under 25’s ‘drop in’ clinic on Thursday 4:30pm to 6:30pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (emergency contraception only, last half hour) • Unplanned pregnancy clinics (appointment required) • Sexual problem clinics (appointment required)

6 Fraserburgh Clinic Square 13 holds a clinic at Fraserburgh Hospital every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 9:30am to 1:30pm. Appointments are usually required and these can be made by telephoning: 0845 337 9900. Genitourinary Medicine Service known as the ‘City Clinic’ If you have genital symptoms, this is the service to attend. The City Clinic is located at: Woolmanhill Hospital, Skene Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1LD Tel: 0845 337 99 00 Fax: 01224 555472

The City Clinic can provide: • FREE testing and treatment for STIs, including HIV and testing and vaccination for Hepatitis viruses • Advice and management of genital tract symptoms/concerns including pain, discharge, bleeding, lumps, skin conditions, etc. • FREE condoms • FREE emergency contraception • FREE contraception • Pregnancy testing is also available • Advice, management, and support following sexual assault

7 8 Clinics • A ‘drop in’ Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing service • ‘Drop in’ clinics held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8:30am to 10am • Woman only clinic (staffed by female health professionals): Tuesday afternoon 2pm to 4:30pm (by appointment only) • Men only clinic, Friday afternoon 1:20pm to 3:40pm (by appointment only) Will I have to see a doctor? Not necessarily. Sexual health advice and treatment is provided safely by a range of health professionals including nurses, health youth workers, pharmacists, voluntary agencies, and doctors. Are the services confidential? Yes, any personal information or information about your consultation, tests, or treatment will not be shared with any outside parties without your permission. This still applies even if you are under 16 years of age. The only exception is when healthcare professionals believe that you or another person is at risk of significant harm. In these circumstances, other services may need to be informed, but this would be discussed with you first. What if I need non-emergency health care when my GP surgery or specialist service is closed? In these circumstances, you should telephone the NHS24 helpline on: 08454 24 24 24 or wait until your GP surgery is open. If you

9 are non-English speaking, you should ask an English speaking friend or relative to telephone on your behalf. Where can I find out more about sexual health services in Grampian? More information is available from: • NHS Grampian website: www.nhsgrampian.org/sexualhealth • Sexual Health Direct to find out about all sexual health services on Tel: 0845 1228690 or their website: www.fpa.org.uk • You can find details about GP practices in Scotland at: www.show.scot.nhs.uk • Details about local sexual health clinics can be found in the local telephone directory, or by contacting NHS Grampian, Community Hospitals, Healthpoints, Pharmacies or your local library Where can I find other useful sources of health information? More health information can be obtained by contacting: Alcohol Support Ltd (Advice & Counselling Services) 62 Dee Street Aberdeen AB11 6DS Tel: 01224 573887 Fax: 01224 213479 Email: [email protected] Website: www.alcoholsupport.co.uk

10 Services provided: • Advice and information • One to one counselling • Child and Family Service • Criminal Justice Addictions Service • Deferred Sentence Scheme • Domestic Abuse / Alcohol Service • Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme • Employment Referral Service • GP Referral Service (Northfield) Can you self refer? : Yes Can other agencies refer? : Yes, any relevant professional can refer Geographical area covered? : Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Community Hospitals All supply FREE emergency contraception and some supply free condoms. Community Pharmacists/Chemists All Community Pharmacies, as part of the NHS, dispense NHS prescriptions and provide additional services. Most pharmacies are open from Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings. Some are also open on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. In some areas, pharmacies open outside of normal working hours on a rota basis.

11 12 Community pharmacists provide advice on a wide range of health matters, including sexual health and contraception. Advice is given free of charge and no appointment is necessary, although at busy times you may have to wait. All NHS prescriptions for contraceptives are dispensed FREE of charge and most pharmacies also provide free emergency contraception to girls and women aged 13 and over. Free condoms are available from some pharmacies and most offer a variety of condoms for sale. Some offer an STI service which includes advice on sexual health, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing kits, and treatment for patients with a positive test result. Condoms FREE condoms are available from the following: • ‘Square 13’, 13 Golden Square, Aberdeen, Telephone: 0845 337 99 00 • The `City Clinic` (Genitourinary Medicine), Woolmanhill Hospital, Aberdeen Telephone: 0845 337 99 00 • Dr Gray’s Hospital, Family Planning Clinic, Elgin. Telephone: (01343) 567574 • SMS (Moray) at Elgin Youth Cafe and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin Telephone: (01343) 545246 • NHS Grampian Healthpoints (see page 21 for locations) Telephone: 0500 20 20 30 • Some GPs • Some Pharmacies

13 • Terrence Higgins Trust, 246 George Street, Aberdeen. Telephone: 0845 241 2151 • Get Rubbered (free condom & lube postal services for gay and bisexual men living in rural areas). Telephone: 0141 332 3838 or Email: [email protected]

Fraserburgh Needle Exchange Kessock Clinic, Kessock Road, Fraserburgh, AB43 8UE Tel: 01346 585167 Fax: 01346 585161 Services provided: • Needle exchange service • One-to-one counselling/support/advice/ information for drug users, relatives and friends • Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C

Can you self refer? : Yes Geographical area covered? : North Aberdeenshire

14 Golden Square NHS Grampian Pregnancy Support Team Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZL

Tel: 01224 554516 (Specialist Midwife) Services provided: • Multi-agency service for women who use alcohol and drugs • Specialist advice on all areas of contraception, pregnancy and childcare • Specialist care throughout pregnancy and early parenthood • Contraceptive advice Can you self refer? : Yes Can other agencies refer? : Yes, any relevant professional can refer Geographical area covered? : Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. The Healthy Hoose 2B Logie Place, Aberdeen, AB16 7TP Tel: 01224 661500 Fax: 01224 661504 Services provided: • Nurse Practitioner consultations Monday to Friday providing healthcare, treatment & advice for Middlefield/Smithfield residents.

15 • Services include pregnancy testing, family planning and contraceptive advice, emergency contraception, provision of condoms, STI testing including Hepatitis B & C and HIV, and Hepatitis B immunisation • Well woman & well man checks • Counselling – by appointment Can you self refer? : Yes, but you should be registered with a GP within Aberdeen City Geographical area covered? : Middlefield area of Aberdeen Marywell Healthcare Centre (Homeless Practice) Marywell Healthcare Centre, 90 College Street, Aberdeen Tel: 01224 594108 Fax: 01224 846541 Email: [email protected] (Nurse Practitioner) Services provided: • GP consultations Monday to Friday (for registered patients only) • Nurse Practitioner consultations Monday to Friday providing healthcare, treatment and advice. This includes family planning, contraceptive advice, provision of condoms, sexual health screening, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, testing for Hepatitis B and C • Hepatitis B immunisation and Well Woman clinic • Community Psychiatric Nurse consultations by appointment or outreach

16 • Community Nurse Specialist for the Homeless – by appointment or outreach Can you self refer? : Yes, an appointment is not always necessary Geographical area covered? : Aberdeen City Moray Drug & Alcohol Services (NHS) 252 High Street, Elgin IV30 1BE Tel: 01343 552211 Fax: 01343 547000 Web: www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/ page_1888.html Services provided: • Drugs service – counselling, advice and support for drug users and those affected by drug use • Drug education and training for clinical staff and other relevant agencies, both statutory and voluntary • Outreach Needle Exchange Service • Alcohol home detoxification, counselling, advice and support • Assessment for services • Free condoms • Evening counselling available through Moray Council on Addiction • GP Counselling Project – available in local surgeries if appropriate Can you self refer? : Yes Can other agencies refer? : Only GP referrals are accepted for the Health Service Team.

17 18 Geographical area covered? : Moray SMS (Young People in Moray) Elgin Youth Café Francis Place Elgin IV30 1LQ (Sat 2pm to 4pm) Dr Gray’s Hospital Elgin (Mon 9am to 12noon) (Thu and Fri 2pm to 5pm) Services provided: • A sexual health drop-in surgery for young people, a source of information for leaflets and handouts • Free testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea • Free contraception provision and advice Dr Gray’s Sexual Health clinic Main outpatients department Dr Gray’s Hospital Elgin IV30 1SN Tel: 01343 567574 (call during clinic hours: Mon or Thu 5.30pm to 8pm) Or to book an appointment call: 0845 337 99 00 Services provided: • A sexual health clinic for all ages • ‘Drop in’ emergency contraception and condoms • Appointments required for the following: contraception (all methods), pregnancy tests, STI testing, unplanned pregnancy advice, and cervical smears. Monday and Thursday 5:30pm to 8pm.

19 Can you self refer? : Yes Geographical area covered? : Moray Natural Family Planning The charity Fertility Care Scotland runs clinics staffed by fully qualified and accredited Billings Ovulation Method tutors. There is no charge for the service, but donations are welcome to help with administration and running costs. Natural Family Planning Centre Margaret House, 132 Huntly Street Aberdeen, AB10 1SU Tel: 01224 643300 Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10am -12:30pm, Saturday by appointment Keith, Aberdeenshire By appointment only Contact: Mrs Jane Green - 01542 870641

20 NHS Grampian Healthpoints NHS Grampian Healthpoints and Healthline offer free and confidential health advice from trained staff on a wide range of topics. Healthpoint is a ‘drop in’ service which offers free advice or information on: • practical ways to improve your health • health concerns • support groups and organisations • how to access NHS services • access to free condoms Please visit the NHS Grampian Healthpoints in: Aberdeen Indoor Market 8-10 Market Street, Aberdeen AB11 5NX Open 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN Open: Monday, Tuesday & Friday 10am to 4pm Wednesday & Thursday 10am to 7pm Dr Gray’s Hospital Elgin IV30 1SN Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday NHS Healthline: 0500 20 20 30 Email: [email protected] Can you self refer? : Yes Geographical area covered? : Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray

21 Rape/Sexual Assault A sexual assault does not need to have occurred in the last few days. You can come and ask for advice of help at any time, even if the episode took place years ago. You can contact: • Grampian Police Telephone: 0845 600 5700 • Square 13 Telephone: 0845 337 99 00 • The City Clinic Telephone: 0845 337 99 00 • Crimestoppers Telephone: 0800 555 111, if you have information about a crime that has happened and wish to give information anonymously to the police • Rape and Abuse Support Aberdeen Telephone: (01224) 620772 If you report an assault that has taken place in the last two weeks, you will be offered a forensic examination. This will require police involvement and the questioning/ examination takes place at the Milton Fold facility in Bucksburn and at Queen Street Police Station. If you do not wish to report a rape/sexual assault to the police, NHS Grampian Specialist Sexual Health Services can provide an examination, full STI screening and/or the offer of prophylactic antibiotics, Hepatitis B vaccine, and emergency contraception. A health adviser will discuss optional emotional support and put you in touch with groups such as Rape and Abuse Support Aberdeen. As psychological symptoms may develop months or years later, we would encourage involving your GP to ensure continuity of care.

22 The contact details for Rape and Abuse Support Aberdeen are: Rape and Abuse Support Aberdeen, 88 John Street Aberdeen AB25 1LE Helpline: (01224) 620772, which is open Monday to Friday during Office Hours, and Monday and Thursday 7pm – 9pm. Email: [email protected] Website: www.rasane.org.uk

23 Substance Misuse Service - NHS Fulton Clinic, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZH Tel: 01224 557928 Fax: 01224 557312 Services provided: • Specialist assessment and treatment interventions for drugs & alcohol • Harm minimisation and relapse prevention work. Geographical area covered? : Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Terrence Higgins Trust, Scotland 246 George Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HN Tel: 0845 241 2151 (local rate) Fax: 0845 241 2152 Email: [email protected] Services provided: • Support and advice for people living with HIV • Support and advice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community • Postal distribution of condoms and lube to gay men in Aberdeenshire and Moray • Direct outreach to the gay community, and supply of safer sex materials and information to the LGBT community • Groups for under 26 LGBT

24 • Remote reporting to Grampian Police for homophobic crimes Can you self refer? : Yes Geographical area covered? : Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Further Information: On drugs: The National Drugs Line on: 0800 587 5879 Websites: www.knowthescore.info www.sdf.org On alcohol: Drinkline (Scotland) on: 0800 734314 Websites: www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk www.alcoholconcern.org.uk On sexual health: Sexual Health on: 0800 567123 Website: www.condomessentialwear.co.uk

26 Will I be able to communicate Do you have difficulty in understanding with the doctors and nurses if I the English language? speak little or no English? If you have a problem reading or All GP Practices, Hospitals and understanding the English language, this Community staff in Grampian are document is available in a language of your equipped with the “Language choice. Please ask an English speaking friend Line” telephone interpretation or relative to phone, write or email Corporate service. “Language Line” gives Communications. access to expert interpreters on The details are: the telephone, for 120 different Corporate Communications, languages, in 60 to 90 seconds. If Ashgrove House, you are non-English speaking or if Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, your English is not very good, you Aberdeen AB25 2ZA will still be able to communicate easily with your doctor or nurse. If Telephone: (01224) 551116 or 552245 you prefer, you can use “Language Email: [email protected] Line” to inform your doctor or nurse Do you have a visual impairment? that you would prefer the presence of a “face to face” interpreter, if This document is also available in large print, possible, for future appointments. as a CD and in other formats, upon request. Ask for publication: CGD 090139

Compiled by: NHS Grampian Sexual Health Services Design by Social Enterprise: www.grecgraphics.com