Sexual health

Condoms 2 If you are concerned about any aspect of your sexual health then you can make an appointment in complete confidence at your local NHS sexual health service. Northumberland has a central booking line which you can call to get an appointment for any of the sexual health services or to get confidential advice.

Central appointment line for all sexual health services: 01670 543131

Clinics are held throughout Northumberland and an appointment can almost always be offered within two working days. Please ask if you would like telephone advice or need to be seen urgently.

Contraceptive service

The contraceptive service provides all forms of contraception from ten clinic sites situated in all areas of the county from the Tweed to the Tyne and from the sea to the Cumbrian border. The services are open to all age groups and we also have a network of outreach sessions for young people in a variety of premises including schools, youth clubs and community centres. Find out more about the services available.

View the list of under 25's drop-in sessions across Northumberland (no appointment needed)

View the list of sexual health clinics across Northumberland (appointments needed)

If you have an appointment at one of the clinics you can now download and print off a registration form and complete it prior to arrival at the clinic saving you time and allowing staff to see you as quickly as possible.

Contraceptive / sexual health registration form (PDF)

Please note: If you are attending one of the drop in sessions you do not need to complete a registration form.

Sexually transmitted infections - GUM services

GUM stands for Genito - Urinary Medicine. The GUM service specialises in giving advice, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. The service is free and confidential and is open to all ages and all sexualities. Call 01670 543131 to make an appointment or for advice. Find out more about the services provided.

If you have an appointment at the GUM clinic you can now download and print off a registration form and complete it prior to arrival saving you time and allowing staff to see you as quickly as possible.

GUM registration form (PDF)

Emergency contraception

FREE emergency contraception is available from pharmacies across Northumberland. Please contact the central booking line for further details: 01670 543131

You can use emergency contraception - often known as the morning after pill - if:

You have had sex without using any contraception
You think the contraception might not have worked

Please note: for emergency contraception to be effective it should be taken within 72 hours of having sex.

Free condoms from the C card scheme

C card is a scheme for young people aged 13-25. You can get free condoms at any C card outlet. C card is available across the North East. To find out more call 0800 28 29 30 7am to midnight seven days a week. For a full list of C Card outlets in Nortumberland visit the ‘local services’ section of the RU thinking website: www.ruthinking.co.uk

Psychosexual therapy

Northumberland offers psychosexual therapy for individuals or couples with sexual health difficulties or problems. If you feel you might benefit from this service please contact your GP first who will refer you to the service.

Chlamydia screening

Screening for chlamydia is availble for people aged 15-25 at clinics throughout Northumberland. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection and at least one in ten sexually active people under the age of 25 will have chlamydia. Alot of people don't even know they have it because most people do not have any symptoms. By taking a simple test (which involves peeing in a pot) you can be tested for chamlydia.

To find out more about the local Northumberland Tyne and Wear chlamydia screening programme please visit the check your bits website or text your name and address to 07624809619 to obtain your free confidential chlamydia testing kit.

Teenage pregnancy team

The teenage pregnancy support team works in partnership with a range of services to enable our young parents to receive a tailored package of support to meet their individual needs.

We provide activities focused on young people aged 0-19 years and their parents/carers. Our work is targeted at young people who suffer from high deprivation and disadvantage in areas where rates of teenage conception are highest.

We work to tackle the social exclusion of teenage parents and their children and provide targeted work for vulnerable groups such as those in or leaving Looked After Care, school non attendees, young people involved with youth offending and unemployed young people.

The team can be contacted on 01670 819049 or via email on teenage.pregnancy@nct.nhs.uk.

Access to abortion services

Women living in Northumberland, Newcastle or North Tyneside who are eligible for NHS treatment can refer themselves to abortion services. This means they no longer have to go through their GP or sexual health service to get a referral although referrals can still be made through these services too.

Services are free and confidential and are available to women of all ages on a range of days and times. When contacting the services you will need to tell them your name, date of birth and if possible the first day of your last menstrual period. All services also provide support with pregnancy decision making counselling if required and contraceptive advice and treatment.

For further information or to make an appointment contact one of the following services:

Northumbria NHS Healthcare Trust:
Clinics available in Hexham, Ashington and North Tyneside. Evening and week end appointments available.
Telephone: 0191-2031242 (8.00am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday)

Newcastle NHS Hospital Trust:
Clinics available in Newcastle. Evening and weekend appointments available.
Telephone: 0191 2829300 (24 hour telephone line)

British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)
Clinics available in Newcastle. Evening & weekend appointments available.
Telephone 08457 304030. (24 hour telephone line)