What are GUM clinics?
At GUM (Genito Urinary Medicine) clinics you can get tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections. They’re usually part of a hospital. You might hear them called:
- STD (sexually transmitted disease) clinics
- ‘special clinics’
- sexual health clinics
- ‘VD clinics’
- or ‘clap clinics’.
At a GUM clinic, your confidentiality is guaranteed by law.
- Your GUM clinic records cannot be shown to your GP or insurance companies.
- But if you go to your GP first and you’re referred in writing to a clinic, then the clinic sends your GP a letter saying what tests or treatment you’ve had.
- These details can go on your GP records, possibly causing problems if you one day apply for a mortgage or life insurance. You can ask your GP not to put information about your sex life in your notes.
- Many gay men prefer to go straight to a GUM clinic, not their doctor, for hepatitis vaccinations, HIV tests, check-ups or treatment for STIs.
What GUM clinics can do for you
Free at most GUM clinics you should be able to get:
- information and advice about having a healthy sex life
- tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections
- someone to chat to (a ‘health adviser’) about anything on your mind
- free vaccinations against hepatitis B (and often hepatitis A)
- HIV tests - and counselling before the test and after you get your result
- sexual health check-ups
- condoms and water-based lube
- in some areas there are special clinic times for gay men (you don’t have to use these - you can also use the regular clinic times)
- a confidential service.
This article was last reviewed on: 21/10/11
Date due for next review: 21/10/13
