Your visit
We run four sexual health clinics in Hackney and the City of London.
We aim to see people within 20 minutes of their pre-booked appointment time. However, due to the nature of our service this isn’t always possible – please speak to the reception team on arrival to see if there are any delays in clinic.
Our clinics and opening hours
Clifden Centre Tel No: 020 8510 5158 |
Walk-in Weekend clinic - booked appointments Specialist clinic for men who have sex with men Open Doors clinic for sex workers Booked appointments for coil and implant fittings happen throughout the week |
80 Leadenhall Street Tel No: 020 3738 8098 |
Booked appointments Closed weekends |
Ivy Centre Tel No: 020 7683 4525 |
Booked appointments Closed weekends |
John Scott Health Centre Tel No: 020 7683 4708 |
Walk-in Booked appointments Closed weekends |
If you have noticed something wrong
If something is bothering you, a trained doctor or nurse will see you to assess your symptoms.
A healthcare assistant may do your routine tests while you wait.
This helps to speed up your consultation with the doctor or nurse and will not add to your waiting time.
Routine tests include:
- A blood test (for HIV and syphilis)
- A urine sample and/or swab (for chlamydia and gonorrhoea)
If you would prefer to see a doctor or nurse of the same gender as you, then please ask at reception. You may have to wait a bit longer. Occasionally this may not be possible.
The doctor or nurse will need to ask questions about what is wrong. This might include questions about your recent sexual partners, and your health in general. Some of the questions are very personal. We therefore use professional interpreters if necessary and not family members or friends.
The doctor or nurse may need to examine you and take extra tests. They will explain anything they need to do. If you do not understand anything during the discussion or examination, please ask.
You can have a chaperone to support you and make you feel comfortable during an examination.
Chaperone policy
If you would prefer to see a doctor or nurse of the same gender as you, please ask at reception. You may have to wait a bit longer, and occasionally this may not be possible.
You can also have a chaperone to support you and make you feel comfortable during an examination.
If you have any other needs during your visit to us, please let any member of staff know.
HIV testing is a standard part of a sexual health check-up
It is always better to know your HIV status
HIV is a treatable infection - effective treatment keeps people living with HIV well, and means that HIV cannot be passed on to their sexual partners too. HIV treatment is so good, that there is now no difference in life expectancy between people living with HIV and people who are HIV negative.
We test for HIV using a blood test
Many people believe they have been tested for HIV because they have had blood tests for other things. However, unless you were specifically told that a HIV test was included then it is likely this was not tested. In any case, there is no harm in repeating the test with your check-up.
The HIV blood test has a 'window period' of 45 days
This means if someone acquired HIV less than 45 days before the test, it might not be detected even though they have HIV infection.
If you are having a check-up and have not tested for HIV recently, it is still worth having the test even if you are in the 'window period' - but we may advise you to repeat the test after the 'window period' to be sure.
Getting your results
To listen to your results, call our automated number:
020 8510 5948
You will need your unique clinic number.
Most test results are returned after three working days.
Some tests (such as for Herpes or Mycoplasma) may take longer.