Women involved with the sex industry (Praed Street project)

The Praed Street project is a sexual health and support service for women from all over the world who work, have worked or are associated with any part of the sex industry within London. We are based at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.

Our services are free and confidential for all women regardless of nationality. We make a commitment to you to be discreet and respectful in relation to all aspects of your life. We are a small and friendly team and would be happy to talk to you on the telephone about our services or arrange a time for you to come and meet us.

A confidential service
When you register with the Praed Street project no one will know you have visited our clinic. Your medical records are highly confidential and protected by law. No other Government departments or agencies can gain access to them, including the police, social security or immigration.

Even if you don't have a valid visa to work in the United Kingdom, sexual health services are free and confidential.

What we offer

Clinic
Our sympathetic clinic team provide:
• Confidential testing and check-ups for sexually transmitted infections including HIV (counselling is also offered with HIV testing)
• Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B
• Cervical smears
• Free condoms and some contraception, including the pill contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera) and the contraceptive implant
• Free emergency contraception (if you are worried about pregnancy after unprotected sex/broken condom you have 72 hours to use emergency contraception from the time you were at risk. You can discuss this with our Nurse or obtain it from a pharmacy or chemist)
• Appropriate advice on sexual health at work and home, and information about infections and how to prevent them
• Answers to questions about safer sex, broken condoms and other issues of concern
• Information on condom use

Coming to the clinic
You can either make an appointment at our clinic in advance or use our friendly and informal same day appointment clinic on Thursdays. (see below for more information). We are very discreet. When you register you will be given an individual clinic number. No tests or examinations are carried out without your full consent. To make an appointment or discuss any concerns please telephone the project team on 020 3312 1549 or 020 3312 1828.

Drop in and support service
The drop in service is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 14.00 to 16.30. It is held in an informal setting away from the clinic. We offer free condoms, a cup of tea or coffee and an opportunity for you to discuss topics in a confidential, friendly and supportive environment, including:
• Sex work and the sex industry
• Safety at work
• Difficult situations at work
• Sexual health and general health issues
• How to cope with 'burn-out'
• Condom use
• Negotiating
• Budgeting
• Important news and information about the sex industry
• How work is affecting you
• Other opportunities and careers
• Drug and alcohol use
• Legal issues

We also provide internet access to support your interests. For more information and directions to the service, please telephone the project team on 020 3312 1549 or 020 3312 1828.

Outreach services
We provide outreach services to working flats within the Local area of Westminster and Kensington. We can drop off condoms and bring you news about the sex industry by prior arrangement, we are discreet about your work and we will not disrupt your services. We can also offer some sexual health check ups and tests in your flat or sauna. If you are interested in this service please ring us on 020 3312 1549 or 020 3312 1828.