Why are where we are?
Birmingham is the countrys largest city after London, but has one of the lowest numbers of centres for sexual health per population in the UK. There are a handful of centres in the centre of Birmingham, but the North of the city has always been poorly supplied with sexual health specialist clinics.
With the continually increasing prevalence of STI's, it felt a good idea to help remove pressure on the central clinics and increase the clinical facilities offering STI investigation and treatments and open up sexual health in general in a community setting.
Therefore, in 2004 we opened our surgery doors to receive the general public who had a need for sexual investigation and treatment. Many patients have symptoms but others are merely concerned and they want a check up for a variety of reasons. Others wish to discuss a myriad of personal sexual matters, including alternative methods of contraception such as Implanon implants.
At the SHC we offer an alternative environment for the care of sexual health, within the privacy and informal setting of a GP surgery. All consultations are carried out in complete confidentiality and personally managed by experienced clinical staff.
A recent addition to the SHC has been the facility of offering patients Chlamydia screening as defined by the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. This test is included for those who fit the criteria and is open for anyone who wishes to self-test.
We encourage gay and bisexual testing and are very happy to discuss matters of risk and treatments. We consider the vaccination of Hepatitis B to appropriate people as a very important aspect of our work.