The Sexual Health Service (also known as Genitourinary medicine or GUM) offers free, confidential advice, testing and treatment for sexual health concerns.

We provide:

• Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Sexual health advice and support
• Emergency contraception
• Pregnancy testing
• HIV testing
• Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and HPV vaccinations for people who may be at higher risk
• Access to PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), a treatment that may help prevent HIV after possible exposure
• Information and referrals for PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), a medication that helps prevent HIV
• Support and information for people affected by sexual assault

How to contact us

Appointments can be booked through our Central Booking System.

Please note that walk-in clinics are no longer available at any location.

GUM Clinic Appointments

• Booking line – Telephone: 028 7034 6028

Contraception/STI Integrated Clinics

• Booking line – Telephone: 028 7034 6028 or 028 2826 6163

PrEP – Sexual Health Team

• Telephone: 0738 4820 826
• Email: SexualHealth@northerntrust.hscni.net

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm. This service is closed on public holidays.

What happens at your appointment?

A member of the healthcare team will ask about your reason for attending and some questions about your sexual health. This helps us recommend the right tests, treatment and advice for you.

If tests are needed, we will explain everything beforehand. Depending on your needs, testing may involve:

• Swabs
• A urine sample
• A blood test

If you do not have any symptoms, you may be able to take your own swabs and provide urine and blood samples without having an examination.

A chaperone (a trained member of staff) can be present during any intimate examination if you wish.

Medical students or trainees may also be present in the clinic. If you would prefer they were not involved in your appointment, simply let a member of staff know.

For men: Please avoid passing urine for one hour before your appointment, if possible.

Some tests may be repeated 12 weeks later.

Getting your results

Some results may be available on the day of your appointment. Most other results are usually available within two weeks.

• Negative results are normally sent by text message.
• If anything needs further discussion or treatment, we will contact you directly.
• All treatment provided by the clinic is free of charge.

Please make sure we have a current phone number for you, as we will use this as our main method of contact.

Partner notification

If you are diagnosed with an STI, it is important that any relevant sexual partners are informed and treated if necessary. Our staff can support you and discuss the best way to do this.

PrEP (HIV Prevention)

PrEP is available free of charge through Northern Trust Sexual Health Clinics. If you would like to find out more or arrange an appointment:

• Telephone: 0738 482 0826
  Email: SexualHealth@northerntrust.hscni.net

You can also book an appointment for PrEP with the Western Trust through SXT.

Clinic locations

• Causeway Hospital – Outpatients 2 (Ground Floor), 4 Newbridge Road, Coleraine, BT52 1HS
• Causeway Hospital – Hub Appointment Clinics, 4 Newbridge Road, Coleraine, BT52 1HS
• Braid Valley Care Complex – Ground Floor South, 86 Cushendall Road, Ballymena, BT43 6HB
• Mid Ulster Hospital – First Floor, Main Building, Hospital Road, Magherafelt, BT45 5EX

Useful resources

Sexual Health Information (nidirect)
What is PrEP
PrEPster