Appointments
Sexual health
How to get an appointment
If you have symptoms please walk in to see us. You'll be given a slot for later in the day, subject to availability.
You can walk in from:
- 8am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at all of our clinics - we start seeing patients from 8:30am
- 12:30pm on Wednesday at all of our clinics - we start seeing patients at 1pm
- 8am on Saturday and Sunday at Burrell Street only - we start seeing patients from 8:30am
If you're more than 10 minutes late for your appointment we'll not be able to see you. You'll need to come back another day.
Book your appointment
Find out how you can book your sexual health appointment for each of our services.
If you want to have a coil (intrauterine device - IUD) fitted or replaced:
This appointment is for insertion or replacement only and no other service.
We have made changes to how we use hospital records when you book an appointment. Find out more about how we use hospital records for sexual health.
If you want an emergency coil, or have to have your coil checked or removed, please walk in at the start of our opening hours.
The Mirena, Levosert, and Benilexa coils can last for up to 8 years. We'll only replace one of these coils after you've had it for 8 years.
We're unable to offer the following coils for hormone replacement therapy (HRT):
- Mirena
- Levosert
- Benilexa
More information
If you want to have an implant fitted, removed or replaced, please walk in to one of our clinics during opening hours.
More information
NHS website – more information about the contraceptive implant
We offer the morning after pill (emergency oral contraceptive pill). You can take this up to 3 or 5 days after unprotected sex.
To get the morning after pill:
- visit the Sexual Health London website
- walk in during our opening hours
For a consultation for the contraceptive pill, patch, vaginal ring, or injection:
- visit the Sexual Health London website to order your free contraception (pills, patch or ring)
- contact your GP, or
- walk in to one of our clinics during our opening hours
We are unable to provide contraceptive diaphragms or Caya in our service.
Caya is available from High Street pharmacies or online and does not need a prescription.
More information
If you have a confirmed positive STI result from another service, such as Sexual Health London and need treatment, please call our results line on 020 7188 6666, option 5. Our results line is open:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30am to 4pm
- Wednesday, 1pm to 4pm
We will ask you some questions and arrange for you to attend a clinic.
Please note that we are unable to provide treatment or vaccinations at our Walworth Road clinic. Please attend the Burrell Street clinic instead, which is within walking distance.
If a sexual partner has told you they have an infection and you do not have symptoms, please use a home testing kit. You can order a home testing kit from Sexual Health London.
You can also walk in to one of our clinics to pick up a testing kit.
If your result is positive, please call 020 7188 6666, option 5 to arrange treatment.
We do not treat partners unless they have a positive result.
These vaccinations are free.
Please walk in during opening hours if you:
- need to have one or more of these vaccinations
- have already started a course somewhere else and need to continue
Hepatitis A vaccines are for:
- all men who have sex with men
Hepatitis B vaccines are for:
- all men who have sex with men
- if you inject drugs
- sex workers
- if your partner has hepatitis B
We offer the human papillomavirus vaccination (HPV), commonly referred to as Gardasil, to all men who have sex with men (MSM) under the age of 45.
There is a 'universal' HPV vaccination programme offered to all people under 25 years old. For more information about it, please contact your GP.
Please note that we are unable to provide treatment or vaccinations at our Walworth Road clinic. Please attend the Burrell Street clinic instead, which is within walking distance.
More information
If you're under 18, you're welcome at all our clinics. We'll make your care a priority.
We are here to help with your sexual health, relationship and contraceptive needs. We will also listen if you're worried about something and need to talk.
A healthcare professional will ask you about your:
- sexual health
- home situation
- relationships
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV is available free through the NHS.
You can:
We have made changes to how we use hospital records when you book an appointment. Find out more about how we use hospital records for sexual health.
Most appointments are available to book more than 48 hours in advance. In addition, on most weekdays, there will be some additional appointments released at 8:30am for later that same day.
Our Walworth Road clinic have limited capacity. There are no bookable PrEP appointments, though the team may be able to see a limited number of walk-in patients on the day.
If you're new to taking PrEP, we will:
- discuss how it works and explain the different ways to use it
- talk about your mental health, any drug or alcohol use, and offer support if you would like it
- arrange your check-up for STIs
- offer vaccinations for hepatitis A and B and HPV
If you're already taking PrEP, please do a sexual health check-up (including HIV) at home before you come to your appointment. Please be ready to show your results or Sexual Health London (SHL) ID. This will speed up the process to receive your PrEP.
Sexual Health London allows you to test more frequently than every 3 months. It normally takes 1 to 2 weeks to order the test and receive your results.
If you have no symptoms and want testing for STIs, please use a home testing kit.
Visit the Sexual Health London website to order your home testing kit.
We offer emergency post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Please come to one of our clinics if you think you're at risk and need PEP.
To discuss options or book a termination of pregnancy, please contact a provider directly.
If you're a resident or registered with a GP practice in Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley, Lewisham, Bexley or Greenwich, you can choose to have your abortion with:
- British Pregnancy Advisory Service
- MSI Reproductive Choices
- National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service (NUPAS)
If you live in another borough or are not registered with a GP in one our boroughs, you can contact the providers for further advice.
During your visit
Find out what happens at your appointment.
Please do not pee for 2 hours before your appointment.
Appointments are face-to-face.
Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment. If you've booked online, please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to register.
If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you'll need to rebook your appointment.
Most appointments last 30 to 40 minutes. If you need treatment for an infection, your appointment can take up to 90 minutes.
You will be offered a check-up at your appointment. This includes a:
- blood sample
- urine sample
- possible swabs (vaginal, bottom and throat swabs)
If you are coming to the clinic for contraception we will:
- measure your height and weight
- take your blood pressure
If you are coming for the coil or implant, the procedure will take place in the clinic. You will get information about what will happen before you come for your appointment.
Our team is made up of:
- doctors
- nurses
- health advisors
- health care assistants
- administration support
You might see more than one member of staff at your appointment.
We will tell you if we need to see you again.
We will contact you via MyChart with more information on:
- conditions
- management
- treatment
- referrals
Test results can take up to 10 working days, but it's often much sooner than this.
You can see your results on MyChart or call our results line.
Last updated: December 2024
