Sexual Health

COAST

Chlamydia is the most common form of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) among British youngsters. It is estimated one in seven sexually active people has the infection and many won’t be aware as often there are no symptoms.

COAST is the Chlamydia Screening Programme covering North Lincolnshire, aimed at sexually active people between 15-24 years old.

• FREE tests are available to everyone aged under 25 years old
• Test are done by you giving a simple urine sample (Please do not pass urine for two hours before the test)
• Test are available at a large number of venues in the North Lincolnshire area
• Tests are completely confidential whatever your age (unless there is serious risk to you or someone else’s health and safety)

 
COAST can:

• Tell you the nearest place to get a test
• Look after you if you test positive by giving you FREE treatment, advice and support
• Help you trace your sexual partners who may be infected

 
The service is free to any 15-25 year-old and screening is available at many sites in the North Lincolnshire area including youth centres, Choices venues, sports clubs and colleges.

Your results will then be sent to you within seven working days via post, email telephone or even text message, which ever you prefer.

For further information, a full list of all the places where you can get a test or to order a test kit please call us on 01724 846200. You can also text COAST followed by your name and address to 83010 – and we’ll send a test kit to you in a plain white plastic envelope.

our website: http://www.coast-lincs.nhs.uk

Choices

Choices is a free confidential ‘Drop In’ service for clients under the age of 25 years in North Lincolnshire. The clinics are free, confidential, relaxed, accessible, non judgemental and anonymous. This is vital to young people, who will not access mainstream services due to worries about confidentiality. There are 17 sessions per week which are in venues and at times that suit young people. The clinics are staffed by trained nurses and youth workers who have experience working with young people and used to dealing with problems and worries that young people face in their lives. 

There is no such thing as a ‘silly question’ and the staff are happy to deal with any worries, however minor they may seem. They understand that sometimes young people are not able to share their concerns with friends, family or teachers and provide a ‘listening ear’ for clients. No appointment is needed, clients can simply ‘Pop In’, and there will be a friendly youth worker or reception to talk to, if clients have to wait to see a nurse. 

There are also plenty of leaflets and posters to read while you wait, so client’s can increase their knowledge on health promotion topics if they want to. Sometimes coming to a clinic can be a bit daunting for young people, at Choices we understand this and welcome friends and family.

The Choices Clinics:

• Provide advice/information on all aspects of general health
• Act as a ‘One Stop’ advise centre enabling other services to be accessed appropriately
• Provide counselling for ‘at risk’ behaviours e.g. alcohol, drugs, smoke cessation
• Help young people make informed choices about sex and relationships
• Provide information and access to a variety of contraceptive methods
• Issue C Cards which enables young people to pick up condoms from chemists, GP’s surgeries and Choices
• Pregnancy testing and referral for termination of pregnancy
• Health Promotion offered on a variety of topics and including a multi agency approach
• Signpost to other agencies
• Chlamydia screening is at all clinics, it’s a simple ‘pee in a pot’
• If you have no symptoms but require a full sexual health screen, this is available at Crosby, Ashby and Riddings Clinics
• Emergency contraception is available at most Choices clinics

Choices is a confidential service which means that anything that is discussed stays confidential whatever the client’s age. Nothing is shared with parents, teachers, friends, family without the client’s permission. The only reason information may be shared  is to protect somebody from serious harm, this is discussed with client’s first.

For more information:

http://choices.nlpct.nhs.uk
Telephone 01724 296629