Not quite true, they still do the umbrella thing but only if you have some symptoms and they can check it under a microscope there and then.
I've had an NSU recently which wasn't an STI just some form of irritation from using shower gel. Visited the GUM clinic anyway and they did this umbrella test and checked it under the microscope. Even with them doing that they still take urine samples as it's not always 100% accurate checking under the microscope they told me.
It's not that bad anyway, I've had it done twice and the first time was uncomfortable where the second I felt nothing. I put the first time down to the woman being too rough though.