Genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the UK: What are they and where to find them?

Genitourinary medicine clinics, known colloquially as GUM clinics are NHS-run institutions in the United Kingdom specialised in dealing with sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STIs and STDs) and other venereal diseases (VDs). GUM clinics will provide their patients with completely free advice and treatment. There you will be able to get advice from medical experts and other professionals, undergo STI testing and screening procedures as well as obtain prescriptions required to buy STI treatment.

What’s on this page?

GUM clinics Vs GP?

Some may ask why you would choose to a specialised institution when you can get advice from your general practitioner too. The first answer that comes to mind is that GUMs are perfectly equipped for dealing with STIs and STDs in particular, so you will be able to complete all the relevant tasks at one place – from getting information to testing and obtaining the appropriate treatment.

At the same time, GUM clinics in the UK are the perfect option for those who would prefer to avoid having uncomfortable conversations with their family doctor. In addition to this, Sexual health clinics in the UK are favoured by younger people as they provide several benefits that you can’t find at your GP. For starters, they will offer you to choose between male and female doctor when making an appointment and the employees are bound by the agreement of confidentiality so you can rest assured that the matter at hand will remain private.

Who can go to GUM clinics?

The shortest and most precise answer is – everybody? Even if you are under 16 years of age and need advice, contraception or STI testing, you can go to your local GUM clinic without parents and the doctor employed won’t inform your parents without your concern. However, if you are younger than 13 and the doctor have a reason to worry, the clinic will ask you about the possibility of employing a social worker that could help you out if there is the need.

Will somebody know I went there?

No, GUM clinics will guarantee complete confidentiality and your record at the clinic will not be and cannot be shown to anybody, not even your family doctor or insurance company. The only exception to this is the situation where your GP has referred you to clinic in writing. In this scenario, the GUM clinic will send a letter back to your doctor, informing him or her about the treatment you received if any.

What can I get from visiting a GUM clinic?

People decide to visit GUM clinics for numerous reasons including:

• Getting advice from certified sexual health advisers
• Getting relevant information about healthy sex life
• Obtaining free condoms
• Obtaining free information leaflets
• Getting prescription for prescription contraceptives
• Getting information about STDs and STIs
• Getting STD and STI screening/testing
• Psychological or emotional support
• Getting prescription for STI and STD treatments and medications

What are GUM clinics near me?

If you are looking to find a GUM clinic near you, you can do so easily, by simply typing in your address or postal code to the form on NHS website.¹

Below, we will provide you with the locations of GUM clinics in some of the UK’s major cities. Please note that not all of them will offer all their services for free and for some, making an appointment will be necessary, while other will function as walk-in clinics.

London

Birmingham

Leeds

Sheffield

Manchester

Liverpool

Bristol

York

Cambridge

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