The sexual health service is commissioned by North Tyneside Council for residents in the borough aged 13 and over and is delivered by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Patient and staff safety must always be the top priority, and concerns over the state of the service’s current home, on Brenkley Avenue, means it will temporarily close and relocate from 1pm on Thursday 18 April.
Those who need to access sexual health services between 1pm on Thursday 18 April and Thursday 25 April, can book an appointment at the Dudley Centre at John Willie Sams, Market Street, Dudley, NE23 7HS on a Wednesday or the Howdon Centre at 11A Howdon Lane, Howdon, Wallsend, NE28 0AL on a Thursday.
Alternatively, people can also access the Blyth One-to-One Centre which is located on Thoroton Street, NE24 1DX, via a booked appointment or they can drop in.
From Friday 26 April, the service that was provided from Shiremoor will be delivered from what is currently ward 9, on the ground floor, at North Tyneside General Hospital.
Ensuring the space and environment on the ward is adapted as needed to make patients feel comfortable is a key focus. We know how important privacy is for patients and people can be reassured that their privacy and confidentiality will be maintained at all times.
We appreciate how vital the sexual health service is and we appreciate that moving what is a community service onto a hospital site isn’t ideal. Patient and staff safety must always come first whenever we are caring for people.
We have explored all options, and this is the most viable one for everyone involved. This service is a sensitive one, so it is crucial that it is located in an appropriate environment to ensure our patients feel safe physically and emotionally, that their privacy is respected and that they are comfortable.
Patients can access the service by the same telephone numbers – 0191 297 0441 (Monday to Friday) and 07966 490 596 (Saturdays) – and you will see the same clinicians as you do now.
Appointments already made and regular appointments should be attended as usual. Opening times will remain unchanged and are regularly updated on the website.
We are working closely with North Tyneside Council in relation to where the service will be located in the future and patients and the public will be kept informed.
Care provided by the sexual health service is free, delivered face-to-face and, if appropriate, virtually too and includes:
- Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PReP) treatment
- HIV testing
- Cervical smears
- Support and advice
- Free contraceptive advice and contraception including condoms, contraceptive pills, implants and coils
- Vasectomy
- Free emergency contraception
- Free pregnancy tests, confidential advice, pregnancy decision making support and referrals.
Further information is available at https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/sexual-health-services.