Sexual Health

The Health Services listed in this section are free, friendly and confidential. So whatever you may be worried about – don’t suffer in silence!

You can get advice and support about issues such as relationships and sex, depression, bullying, drugs, alcohol, eating problems and smoking. Help is there – you just need to ask!

CONFIDENTIALITY – HERE TO LISTEN, NOT TO TELL

Personal health, contraception, and sexual problems…you can talk to a doctor or nurse in complete confidence. Even if you are under 16, doctors and nurses still have to keep anything you tell them private. So whether you ask for advice about a cold, or something as personal as contraception or a sexual problem, nobody else will be told.

YOUNG PEOPLE FRIENDLY SERVICE

GP practices taking part in this scheme will display a poster reassuring you that your visit will stay confidential and listing the services they offer, such as free leaflets on young people’s health issues. They will welcome young people for contraceptive services only, who are registered with another practice.

RISQ – The Health Service for Young People

RISQ offer advice on any problems, contraception, pregnancy testing, counselling and referral, emergency contraception.

Useful phone numbers:

Sexual Health Services (Drop-in Clinics for Young People)

Tel: 01743 357291 or 283382

Clinics run Monday – Saturday and operate in Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Ludlow, Oswestry, Bridgnorth

SAFE – Sexual Advice for Everyone (Family Planning) Clinics,

call: 01743 283382 For opening times and clinics call the above number

GUM Clinics

01743 261059

Sexwise

7pm – 12pm daily call the information line on: 0800 28 29 30

Brook Young People’s Helpline

Call on 0800 802 1234 Or Text BROOK HELP to 81222 for an introduction to the service.

Or, for automated information on sexual health: • Create a new text message, with the keywords 'BROOK INFO'.

Send the message to 81222.

You will then receive a list of options of information topics to choose from. Select the number of the topic that you want, press reply, type in the number and send.

Your text will be directed to an automated service and you should receive a reply within a few minutes.

For details of a local young people's sexual health service:

Create a new text message, starting with the keywords 'BROOK SERVICE', followed by your postcode, e.g.: BROOK SERVICE SW10 9TH.
Send the message to 81222.
You will then receive a list of options of different types of services to choose from. Select the number of the service that you want, press reply, type in the number and send.
Your text will be directed to the Young People's Information Service team, which will text back the details of a service in your area as soon as possible within Brook’s opening hours of Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. If you need urgent help outside of the opening hours, you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, 24 hours a day 365 days of the year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Useful information

What if I’ve had unprotected sex?

If you have already taken the risk then it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. The Emergency Contraceptive Pill can be used up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is. If you miss that, an IUD (coil) can possibly be inserted up to five days after sex. These are available free from RISQ and SAFE clinics and GPs, and women aged 16 and over can also buy the Emergency Contraception Pill at chemists. If you have taken a risk with unprotected sex, either phone for an appointment or go straight to the health centre, clinic or chemist, stressing that you need emergency contraception.

Emergency Contraception can also be accessed free of charge if you are 18 years old or under from certain participating chemists – when there is an accredited Pharmacist on duty – ring 01743 283382 for further information.

What if I think I might be pregnant?

If your period is late and you think you might be pregnant, the first step is to get a pregnancy test as soon as possible (available free from RISQ, SAFE, most GPs, or to buy from a chemist). If you are happy to be pregnant, you should see your doctor to check that you and your pregnancy are OK. If you are not happy to be pregnant, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, so that you can talk through the options.

What if I’m worried about sexually transmitted infections and HIV?

You can get advice from the clinics listed here or your doctor, about all kinds of infections. Advice and treatment is also available from GUM (genito-urinary medicine clinics). They also offer HIV testing and counselling.

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