All patients (general walk-in sexual health clinic)
If you need a sexual health check-up you can come along to our walk-in clinic during our opening hours.
Our opening times
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 08.45 to 18.15
Wednesdays from 11.45 to 18.15
Fridays from 08.45 to 15.15
You can also reserve a time slot for the walk in clinic by text or online (this is not a booked appointment)
If you reserve a slot online, you can select a time that is suitable for you to arrive at the clinic; 70 per cent of our patients complete their visit within two hours of their arrival time .
Please select a slot online
If you reserve a slot by text, you will be given a time slot for either the same day or the following day.
How to book a time slot by text
Text Slot to 07786 202545 and you will receive the next available time slot. If you would prefer to select a morning slot (not available Wednesdays), text Slot morning to 07786 202545 and you will receive a slot before 12.00. If you would prefer to select an afternoon slot (not available Fridays) text Slot afternoon to 07786 202545 and you will receive a slot after 12.00.
Once you have sent a text, you will receive a reply by text confirming your slot. Please note this is a computerised service; content of personalised messages will not be read or responded to.
The cost of texting the service is the same as sending a standard text. There is a limit of one slot per mobile telephone number per day.
We are able to see over 99 per cent of patients who attend during opening times.
All male patients are requested not to pass urine for two hours before visiting the clinic.
Our sexual health and HIV clinic is conveniently located in the Jefferiss wing at St Mary’s Hospital, just 100 metres from Paddington station (underground and mainline) in central London.
In our most recent patient satisfaction survey, 98 per cent of our walk-in clinic patients said they would recommend us to a friend, and 93 per cent rated our standard of care as excellent or good.
Waiting system
In order to keep waiting times in the walk-in clinic to a minimum, we operate a 'time slot' system. If you are one of the first patients to attend at the start of the day, you will be seen within one of the first time slots unless you would prefer to return later. If all the early slots are taken you will offered the opportunity to return for a later slot, we hope this will be more convenient for you than waiting in the clinic.
Length of visit
When you return after being given a time slot, or if you are arriving after reserving a slot by text, you should still expect your visit to take a few hours. At present the average time for a visit is less than two hours but sometimes things can take longer. If you return more than 30 minutes after the time given to you by our receptionist, you may not be seen by the clinical team that day.
Understanding genito-urinary (GU) services
There is no need to feel embarrassed about going to a sexual health clinic. If you think you may have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) (also called a sexually transmitted infection [STI]) it is important that you do not delay seeking treatment. Our staff are professionals who are trained and expected to treat you with sensitivity and respect. Our services are confidential.
What to expect
When you arrive at the walk-in clinic you will be seen at the reception where you will be registered if this is your first visit or check-in, or have your details updated if you are returning. You will be given a leaflet explaining the visit and also information about HIV testing.
You will be directed to the appropriate waiting room. There are separate waiting rooms for men and women. The waiting rooms are comfortable and have televisions plus leaflets containing useful information about sexual health issues. The rooms also contain
electronic screens providing useful information about waiting times.
You will be called by a doctor, nurse or health practitioner when it is your turn to be seen. They will take you to a private room for your consultation.
You will be asked details about any symptoms you have. You will also be asked about your recent sexual activity. There is no need to be embarrassed, this is routine practice and we have a friendly, non-judgmental team. Remember what you tell us is confidential.
You will be offered tests appropriate to your needs (we always recommend testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis). Other tests and vaccinations will be added according to your clinical needs.
We usually need to examine you and will explain what we need to do.
Some test results may be available during your visit. Many tests are sent to a laboratory and will be available at a later date. At the end of your visit you will be advised if you need to return. If you do not need to return we will explain how you will get your test results.
Our services
Our walk-in clinic provides free treatment for STDs. The clinic is also able to offer family planning advice and some contraceptive choices. Condoms are available.
We also provide emergency contraception (morning-after pill) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). If you think you require emergency contraception or PEP during clinic hours make your way directly to the clinic to be seen as soon as possible. When the clinic is closed, PEP is available via the accident and emergency department at St Mary’s Hospital.
About the Jefferiss wing
The Jefferiss wing offers one of the largest selections of specialist sexual health clinics (also known as genito-urinary medicine [GUM] clinics or STD clinics) in London. We have numerous specialist clinics for sexual health issues such as:
- Genital warts
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis
- Genital herpes
- HIV and AIDS
- PEP
- Sexual dysfunction
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Vaccinations
- Vaginitis
We also offer GUM clinics for particular groups of people, including the following:
