COVID-19 and lockdown may have stopped people thinking about their sexual health and getting tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections.
There are two options for testing in Cardiff & Vale:
People over the age of 16 can tale a test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea and/or test for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in their home. The kit has everything needed to complete the test.
Once the sample is collected, simply post back in the Freepost envelope provided by the laboratory for testing. If results are positive, the local Sexual Health service will get in contact with you to arrange free and confidential treatment.
For more information and to order a testing kit visit: https://www.friskywales.org/wales-sti-testing-kit-test-and-post.html
02921 835208 (new phone number) - Monday to Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm
Due to COVID-19 the clinic is no longer operating a walk in service. If someone has symptoms or they are concerned they may have an STI they can call the department of Sexual Health. A member of staff will take details and a clinician will call back. If urgent, an appointment may be booked to attend the department the same day. Alternatively, a face to face or video consultation may be booked on another day.
For full details visit https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/sexual-health
As of June 2022, the local health board have reinstated the community sexual health and contraception clinic for patients under the age of 18.
This is a drop in service, based locally at Broad Street Clinic in Barry, for people who require advice and/or treatment for sexual health concerns. Simply drop in to the clinic on Broad Street to access this service, or if you have anything you would like to discuss beforehand then call them beforehand.
This Public Health Wales website has a self-assessment tool to help assess risk and find local services. It enables people to find appropriate information on sexual health and contraception and is aimed at those who have had sex and think they may need to visit a sexual health clinic.
For more info visit: Assess your risk (friskywales.org)
Women can now access oral contraception at selected pharmacies across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, either independently or by referral from a health care professional.
Over the last year the service has provided over 1200 consultations. Women can contact the pharmacy by telephone or visit to request an appointment with a prescribing pharmacist at one of the pharmacies listed below:
Women can be assessed and supplied with combined oral contraceptives or progesterone only contraceptives as appropriate to their needs.
Emergency oral contraception (i.e the morning after pill) is available free of charge at 66 community pharmacies across Cardiff and the Vale. This is only available when an accredited pharmacist is on duty, it is therefore advisable to contact the pharmacy before travelling there. Local pharmacies include:
The link here will take you to a list of participating pharmacies. http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/1143/PHARMACIES%20PROVIDING%20EHC%20Oct%20%2018.pdf
The YMCA Sexual Health and Relationship Service offers tailored, specialist and confidential support to young people aged 11-25 in Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan. The service works with individuals and groups on a variety of issues including contraception, STIs, identifying positive relationships, pregnancy testing, consent, sexual risk taking and online safety and supporting young people to access testing and contraception at sexual health clinics within Cardiff. http://www.ymcacardiff.wales/healthy-relationship-service/
The Emotional Wellbeing Service Cardiff and Vale provides early-intervention for emotional wellbeing in children and young people across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan through therapeutic groups and one-to-one support. The service promotes positive wellbeing and tools that strengthen emotional resilience, supporting young people engaging in risk-taking behaviours. The service can support young people with needs around mental health and wellbeing, drugs and alcohol, self-harm, safer sex and healthy relationships. https://emotionalwellbeingservice.org.uk/