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Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics

A GUM clinic is a place where sexual health is confidentially assessed and you can be tested and treated for STIs. There are GUM clinics across Northern Ireland. You do not need to be referred by another doctor. In most cases, you will need to make an appointment. If you are worried that you have an STI, you can get tested at your nearest clinic.

The following video shows what happens if you go for an appointment at a GUM clinic. The step-by-step guide is also available in a subtitled version. To access the subtitles, click on the choose captions (CC) option at the bottom, right hand side of the video.

 

You can also find out more about sexual health services in your local Health and Social Care Trust area at:

What do GUM clinics provide?

Each clinic provides:

  • confidential testing and treatment for STIs , including HIV;
  • medical, nursing and social support for people with HIV infection;
  • vaccination for hepatitis A and B;
  • (PrEP) Pre-Exposure prophlyaxis for HIV – a regular treatment taken to prevent HIV and taken before possible exposure to HIV
  • PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV – a treatment started after a possible exposure to HIVconfidential advice and counselling on sexual health issues;
  • safe keeping of your records within the department; no one, including your GP, your partner or insurance company can see them without your permission;
  • partner notification – this is this process of ensuring that all who have been potentially in contact with an STI are offered testing and treatment, if required. Health advisors or nurses in GUM can help you to make this contact or can contact them for you, with your permission.

Young people are welcome at the clinics, it is not necessary to bring a parent or adult with you, but this can be helpful if you are under 16 years of age. The clinics do not routinely disclose your visit to a parent or your GP.

What happens at a GUM clinic?

The doctor will ask you about any particular problems and then may:

  • examine your genital area;
  • take swabs to check for infection;
  • ask you for a sample of urine;
  • take a blood test (to check for syphilisHIV or hepatitis B/C);
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