Hull’s first Sexual Health Online Clinic launched
29 September, 2011
On Monday 3rd October, City Health Care Partnership will be launching Hull’s first specialist online Sexual Health Clinic providing real time access to a specialist sexual health nurse over the internet.
The clinic has come about in response to patients, in particular young people and men, who are failing to access sexual healthcare despite open access to local clinics, mainly due to a perceived embarrassment of attending a face to face appointment.
A survey conducted in Hull in 2010 demonstrated that there was a need for an online and innovative service provision of this quality. National surveys and online clinics in other areas have proved the effectiveness of offering online sexual health services, however, some of these charge a fee which puts the service out of reach of many people where as Hull’s clinic is completely free.
The online clinics will operate out of normal working hours enabling those who work, study or would have difficulty attending a clinic due to childcare/carer commitments to easily access support and advice.
“Hull has relatively high rates of unplanned pregnancy, chlamydia and gonorrhoea and the online clinic will go some way in reaching at risk people, giving them the confidence to discuss their sexual health in a way that is convenient, instant and easily accessible. Our aim is to enable people to access evidence based and safe information about their sexual health from a specialised health care professional in the comfort of their own home,” explained Modern Matron for Sexual Health, Jo Heil.
After an initial online assessment, an appointment can be made for the patient, if needed, with the same nurse in person the following day. This minimises any embarrassment making them more likely to attend and also means they don’t have to repeat their story unnecessarily. Where a follow up appointment is not needed the nurse may be able to send out relevant information or testing kits to the patient’s home.
The clinic will be open online between 1pm and 6.40pm every Monday and Thursday. In addition, an email service will be open 24 hours a day from which patients can expect a response within 72 hours. To access the clinic go to: www.sexualhealthvirtualclinic.co.uk
