NHS STI Screening in tatters

[Gordon Bennett]

I'm not trying to instigate a backdoor Covid thread but I think it's important to point out that NHS STI testing in my area is in tatters. Dunno if private clinics will be equally affected but I would suggest that ladies and gents who are sexually active at this time keep in mind that access to STI screening and getting results is almost certainly going to be difficult.

SERVICE ALERT - COVID-19 Outbreak


SERVICE ALERT
Due to the current ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the UK all our services are severely affected - please only use our services if you have an urgent sexual health need that cannot wait.

Please check this page for ongoing service updates

Our postal testing services continue to operate as normal

All services are risk assessing those attending, routine appointments have been cancelled.

All our smaller satellite clinics are not running, we will try to maintain our main clinic hub services as below.

[Jonestown]

We use the STI postal service in many parts of London. although I would imagine their lab facilities will be switched to other priorities, assuming that is practical.

[scutty brown]

And assuming they have staff to do the tests

[Strawberry]

I attended yesterday no problem staff told me they are quiet due to cancellations, and those staying away as a result of Covid-19 symptoms or possible exposure.

[scutty brown]

I'm surprised it was still open....a lot of clinics are shutting their doors

[Strawberry]

I'm surprised it was still open....a lot of clinics are shutting their doors

No sign of closure, no suggestion they will be closing.

Sorry to hear they are closing elsewhere, I was concerned they may be affected thus affecting sexual health. Very glad I got mine in.

[Littlefoot]

Got tested at my local walk-in gum fortnight ago. Very efficient service then. Glad I went when I did.

Service change

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, as of Monday 16th March all Walk-in appointments will be closed and access to Sexual Heath Clinic will be by appointment only, following a phone triage.

[PepeMAGA]

We use the STI postal service in many parts of London. although I would imagine their lab facilities will be switched to other priorities, assuming that is practical.

post the details mate , for those that might want to use it 

[Jonestown]

post the details mate , for those that might want to use it 

External Link/Members Only

[winkywanky]

My recent experience:

I went for a GUM test at the start of this week. In a very discreet location in a big county town, 25mins' drive from me.

There was the usual skanky-looking, alcohol-fuelled, tattooed couple with sunken cheeks sitting in the far corner with chesty cackles, and there was an elderly couple (mid-60s) too. Apart from we five, the place was deserted. I spent a hilarious 30mins with the female nurse, who, bizarrely, had checked me in at the desk just a few mins earlier, left with a smile on my face (NO, that didn't happen! ) and this morning I received my (Negative  ) results by text.

I'd never been there before but I shall be returning!

I don't know what the mid-60s couple were doing, perhaps the clinic also does other stuff? I didn't really look around to see, I kept my head down in my current book, like you do.

But the whole thing was very stress-free  .

[winkywanky]

Got tested at my local walk-in gum fortnight ago. Very efficient service then. Glad I went when I did.

Service change

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, as of Monday 16th March all Walk-in appointments will be closed and access to Sexual Heath Clinic will be by appointment only, following a phone triage.

I had an appointment, perhaps this explains my almost pleasant experience of what is normally an hour of sheer dread?

[Gordon Bennett]

Got tested at my local walk-in gum fortnight ago. Very efficient service then. Glad I went when I did.

Service change

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, as of Monday 16th March all Walk-in appointments will be closed and access to Sexual Heath Clinic will be by appointment only, following a phone triage.

Situation deteriorates by the day. I suspect by tomorrow it'll be a recording saying dab some cream on it and come back in 6 months.

[Strawberry]

Results returned in 48 hours, I was quoted 7 days which is an improvement on the 14 days up until autumn 2109 from which point the 48 hour turn around came in.

Quick Google did reveal the notices posted in this thread

Being located in a back water may for once carry a few benefits, but I'm sure the service is under threat. I have a rapid, at home HIV testing kit left over from a trial study I participated in last year, and the clinic told me they are offering chlamydia tests to those who can't attend. As the only or one of the few sex workers known to them, I am wondering would they phone and advise on a way forward.

May have to get to grips with the finger stabber kits.

[LLPunting]

Situation deteriorates by the day. I suspect by tomorrow it'll be a recording saying dab some cream on it and come back in 6 months.

Actually they'll just repeat the mantra we should all be observing "use a condom".

[S.X. MacHine]

My recent experience:

I went for a GUM test at the start of this week. In a very discreet location in a big county town, 25mins' drive from me.

There was the usual skanky-looking, alcohol-fuelled, tattooed couple with sunken cheeks sitting in the far corner with chesty cackles, and there was an elderly couple (mid-60s) too. Apart from we five, the place was deserted. I spent a hilarious 30mins with the female nurse, who, bizarrely, had checked me in at the desk just a few mins earlier, left with a smile on my face (NO, that didn't happen! ) and this morning I received my (Negative  ) results by text.

I'd never been there before but I shall be returning!

I don't know what the mid-60s couple were doing, perhaps the clinic also does other stuff? I didn't really look around to see, I kept my head down in my current book, like you do.

But the whole thing was very stress-free  .

Happy ending?

[winkywanky]

It wasn't as a result of gone-wrong happy ending, no.



Oh, I see what you mean!   

Yes it was thanks, I got the all-clear text this morning  . Everything ship-shape and Bristol fashion  .

[scutty brown]

Its not just the STI clinics
We're in the process of converting nearly all the patient facing staff at our surgeries and clinics to being home-based using Skype or similar. Nothing else possible - we've even converted 200 seat call centres to a work-at-home basis. Too many staff who either have home care commitments or are self-isolating due to contact.
About the only staff still dealing with patients face-to-face are the district/community nurses, and they're scared shitless and dropping like flies due to overwork. Minority services like sexual health are going to become impossible to sustain.
I really don't think many of you will know just what is going on behind the scenes. It really is a war footing.
FFS don't catch any diseases - not only may you not be able to get an appointment, but the antibiotics may not be available. Nothing is coming from China, and India has banned exports.

[RandomGuy99]

They are planning to close non-urgent depts and reallocate the nursing staff to care for the infected patients. Non-urgent surgery has been suspended in most parts of the country.  Departments that do stuff like pre-op check ups are being measured for masks (there are two types.  If they don't fit then the nurse gets to wear a hood).  Staff are being trained in how to care for the infected and being brought up to latest knowledge on equipment and procedures to be followed.  This is part of the reason for the stay at home advice.  They are buying time for training and equipment to be issued ready for the patients arriving.

[jesse4585]

From speaking to various NHS staff, nurses & doctors are dropping like flies ATM.  As others are saying the service seems to be adopting a war footing - staff being redeployed from their normal jobs to plug up critical shortages,   plans to promote 3rd year student nurses to full nurses early   (like how in a war it's much easier for army staff to get promoted.)

Punters,  WGs & the sexually promiscuous may be at the back of the queue for a while.  On the bright side,  while 'herd immunity' may no longer be the plan for the population as a whole,  it's seems likely it's going to happen automatically for NHS staff.   They might be the first part of the workforce to fully recover.  Boris is saying the worst might be over in 12 weeks,  so  perhaps punters don't have too long to wait.

[Strawberry]

They are planning to close non-urgent depts and reallocate the nursing staff to care for the infected patients. Non-urgent surgery has been suspended in most parts of the country.  Departments that do stuff like pre-op check ups are being measured for masks (there are two types.  If they don't fit then the nurse gets to wear a hood).  Staff are being trained in how to care for the infected and being brought up to latest knowledge on equipment and procedures to be followed.  This is part of the reason for the stay at home advice.  They are buying time for training and equipment to be issued ready for the patients arriving.

This is how I understand the current situation too, but who knows.

[RandomGuy99]

This is how I understand the current situation too, but who knows.

The staff seem pretty stressed out and worried about what awaits them, so if you an NHS worker in your travels buy them a coffee or just be extra nice to them.  We are going to need them more than ever over the next few weeks and months.

[Doc Holliday]

Its not just the STI clinics
We're in the process of converting nearly all the patient facing staff at our surgeries and clinics to being home-based using Skype or similar. Nothing else possible - we've even converted 200 seat call centres to a work-at-home basis. Too many staff who either have home care commitments or are self-isolating due to contact.
About the only staff still dealing with patients face-to-face are the district/community nurses, and they're scared shitless and dropping like flies due to overwork. Minority services like sexual health are going to become impossible to sustain.
I really don't think many of you will know just what is going on behind the scenes. It really is a war footing.
FFS don't catch any diseases - not only may you not be able to get an appointment, but the antibiotics may not be available. Nothing is coming from China, and India has banned exports.

No need to panic it's no worse than flu 

[RandomGuy99]

No need to panic it's no worse than flu 

Just calm the fuck down.

We'll all be fine if people would calm down and stop unnecessarily stressing supply chains and NHS services. 

I think they should name and shame the panic buyers and hoarders as the supermarkets know exactly who has bought what.  It's totally ridiculous. There is plenty to go around if people would just calm the fuck down and start thinking of others. 

NHS staff have been finding nothing left in the shops when they finally get a chance to go shopping.  If all the NHS workers are unable to eat enough they'll all start collapsing on the job just at the point when we need them the most.

[Strawberry]

Just calm the fuck down.

We'll all be fine if people would calm down and stop unnecessarily stressing supply chains and NHS services. 

I think they should name and shame the panic buyers and hoarders as the supermarkets know exactly who has bought what.  It's totally ridiculous. There is plenty to go around if people would just calm the fuck down and start thinking of others. 

NHS staff have been finding nothing left in the shops when they finally get a chance to go shopping.  If all the NHS workers are unable to eat enough they'll all start collapsing on the job just at the point when we need them the most.

I would think it's the additional energy expended, time wasted getting to the supermarket to find nothing that will have the biggest effect. Will effect decision making, it's all a drain on mental power.

[RandomGuy99]

I would think it's the additional energy expended, time wasted getting to the supermarket to find nothing that will have the biggest effect. Will effect decision making, it's all a drain on mental power.

And the impact on their mental health of feeling that they don't even know that they'll be able to eat when they next get off shift because some selfish fuckers have cleared the shelves and filled their houses with the essential items people need to survive.  That just adds to the stress.  It's getting out of control and it needs to stop.  Put the police or some squaddies in the supermarkets and get everyone to act responsibly.

Maybe the supermarkets should share the purchasing data with the police and the army and let the army go recover the hoarded goods from people's houses?

[Doc Holliday]

Just calm the fuck down.

Did I hit a raw nerve 

Anyway we are all at risk of being banned so nothing further here from myself in this thread, except to say that STI services along with many others will of course be hit as CV testing becomes the priority.

From a punting perspective STIs should not be an issue because SP's and SS activity should have stopped anyway to do your bit to help ease the stress on those 'brave' healthcare workers.

That said I would settle for a dose of chlamydia over CV anytime.

[winkywanky]

As declared elsewhere here, I'm self-isolating from Covid-19 related threads because I do believe you can catch it over the internet (as well as the general sense of 'the govt are shit, I don't believe them and I'm going to ignore advice and do my own thing anyway' which so many are infected with).

In this way I hope to avoid a 7-day enforced isolation, or perhaps even permanent exclusion from this mortal coil which is UKP  .

[Doc Holliday]

Its not just the STI clinics
FFS don't catch any diseases - not only may you not be able to get an appointment, but the antibiotics may not be available. Nothing is coming from China, and India has banned exports.

As from today you will struggle to get your teeth sorted also.

[scutty brown]

First signs of GP surgeries collapsing under the pressure with no fit medical staff today

[Spencer Fobby]

In a time of unprecedented global crisis, when the market for escorts and sugar babies is collapsing, it’s nice to see this site rigorously insisting on only punting topics being discussed.
Assisted by juvenile emojis 

[daviemac]

In a time of unprecedented global crisis, when the market for escorts and sugar babies is collapsing, it’s nice to see this site rigorously insisting on only punting topics being discussed.
Assisted by juvenile emojis 

have you noticed the name of this site UK PUNTING,it's a punter's review site and a place for all things PUNTING are discussed. If you want to talk about other things there are other sites dedicated to those.

The ex sister site has threads on this crisis where you can discuss it to your hearts content, in the mean time this site has to be kept on punting related topics.

[munterhunter]

Let's put this into perspective.
We are facing a threat that has to some degree or other spread throughout the world killed lots of people caused panic and paranoia.An effective vaccine still has to ve developed.
What hospitals are saying is if you don't have a serious STI problem then don't attend the clinic. If you do decide to go I doubt they will turn you away. You may have to wait longer to be seen and for your results.
Schools closed. Pubs and Restsutants closed. Supermarket shelves empty. Those systems are in tatters..when the NHS  closes then we're fu@ked!

[LLPunting]

Let's put this into perspective.
We are facing a threat that has to some degree or other spread throughout the world killed lots of people caused panic and paranoia.An effective vaccine still has to ve developed.
What hospitals are saying is if you don't have a serious STI problem then don't attend the clinic. If you do decide to go I doubt they will turn you away. You may have to wait longer to be seen and for your results.
Schools closed. Pubs and Restsutants closed. Supermarket shelves empty. Those systems are in tatters..when the NHS  closes then we're fu@ked!

This is not "28 days later" or any other such apocalypse movie, currently this is a new strain of virus with a low percentage mortality rate.  We only have it within our collective responsibility to delay the spread throughout our communities.  Universal deployment of a specific anti-virus is many months away, long enough to knock cowering, hysterical economies back decades.  Whether the virus remains viable in mutated form is unknown but likely given our lack of total success against others.
If you're of the mind to continually catastrophise then please stop punting and fuck off to Mumsnet.

[RandomGuy99]

Let's put this into perspective.
We are facing a threat that has to some degree or other spread throughout the world killed lots of people caused panic and paranoia.An effective vaccine still has to ve developed.
What hospitals are saying is if you don't have a serious STI problem then don't attend the clinic. If you do decide to go I doubt they will turn you away. You may have to wait longer to be seen and for your results.
Schools closed. Pubs and Restsutants closed. Supermarket shelves empty. Those systems are in tatters..when the NHS  closes then we're fu@ked!

I think you're already fucked.

Can I suggest you dig a hole about 6 foot long by 3 foot wide by 4 foot deep then jump in it and get your friends and family to fill it in.  We'll be much better off without your scaremongering. The end is not nigh. We will get through this.

[freeze44]

I think you're already fucked.

Can I suggest you dig a hole about 6 foot long by 3 foot wide by 4 foot deep then jump in it and get your friends and family to fill it in.  We'll be much better off without your scaremongering. The end is not nigh. We will get through this.

You just being abusive now 

[The Outsider]

I was sent away from a scheduled checkup at my local GUM earlier this week for "displaying symptoms".  I guess they are right to be cautious, but my "symptoms" were caused by a recent hot shower, walking up stairs, then the stress of waiting in a queue in a public corridor for them to open. 

[BobAJobMan]

Personally I think it would be mad to go for a non-essential screen over the next few weeks. A). You're exposing yourself to all the potential risks of just being in/near a hospital, and B). staff are likely to be re-assigned as more and more people are hospitalised with breathing problems. It's irresponsible to waste NHS time and resources right now IMO.

[GingerNuts]

Personally I think it would be mad to go for a non-essential screen over the next few weeks. A). You're exposing yourself to all the potential risks of just being in/near a hospital, and B). staff are likely to be re-assigned as more and more people are hospitalised with breathing problems. It's irresponsible to waste NHS time and resources right now IMO.

You don't seem to be doing anything that would require attendance so thanks for helping the NHS in these difficult times.

[LLPunting]

You just being abusive now 

Nope, he's suggesting that a hysterical fatalist save themselves the stress and end their suffering now.  Very humane for all of us.

[MrMatrix]

I think you're already fucked.

Can I suggest you dig a hole about 6 foot long by 3 foot wide by 4 foot deep then jump in it and get your friends and family to fill it in.  We'll be much better off without your scaremongering. The end is not nigh. We will get through this.

Really a totally unnecessary reply to a genuine concern.

[munterhunter]

This is not "28 days later" or any other such apocalypse movie, currently this is a new strain of virus with a low percentage mortality rate.  We only have it within our collective responsibility to delay the spread throughout our communities.  Universal deployment of a specific anti-virus is many months away, long enough to knock cowering, hysterical economies back decades.  Whether the virus remains viable in mutated form is unknown but likely given our lack of total success against others.
If you're of the mind to continually catastrophise then please stop punting and fuck off to Mumsnet.

Am  I watching a different version of the news to you? I'm not scaremongering I'm not in a panic I realise there's a fairly low mortality rate with fatalities predominently centered on the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Risks to healthy people taking sensible precautions are low. BUT what's being reported on the news is causing panic. Whether we like it or not the Government and Health Services have to do something or be seen to be doing something. Sports events cancelled bars,restaurants, nightclubs, schools and public buildings closed. That's not me scaremongering it's FACT and facts that are causing some people to panic.
Against that we have th OP saying STI services are in tatters when in reality the NHS is prioritising its resources. If you have a sexual health problem YOU think is serious they say go to be checked. If you have a routine appointment for a check up it's likely to be cancelled. This is a nasty virus the NHS have done deals with private hospitals to provide 8000 extra beds. They are preparing for an increase in cases is that scaremongering or prudent management?
People see whats reported and said and make of it what they will. The point I made was that in the scheme of things at the moment a reduction in routine STI services is not that much of a drama.
Oh and this is a forum where members are free to post what they like sometimes opening their mouth without engaging their brain.

[LLPunting]

Am  I watching a different version of the news to you? I'm not scaremongering I'm not in a panic I realise there's a fairly low mortality rate with fatalities predominently centered on the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Risks to healthy people taking sensible precautions are low. BUT what's being reported on the news is causing panic. Whether we like it or not the Government and Health Services have to do something or be seen to be doing something. Sports events cancelled bars,restaurants, nightclubs, schools and public buildings closed. That's not me scaremongering it's FACT and facts that are causing some people to panic.
Against that we have th OP saying STI services are in tatters when in reality the NHS is prioritising its resources. If you have a sexual health problem YOU think is serious they say go to be checked. If you have a routine appointment for a check up it's likely to be cancelled. This is a nasty virus the NHS have done deals with private hospitals to provide 8000 extra beds. They are preparing for an increase in cases is that scaremongering or prudent management?
People see whats reported and said and make of it what they will. The point I made was that in the scheme of things at the moment a reduction in routine STI services is not that much of a drama.
Oh and this is a forum where members are free to post what they like sometimes opening their mouth without engaging their brain.

"We are facing a threat that has to some degree or other spread throughout the world killed lots of people caused panic and paranoia...
Schools closed. Pubs and Restsutants closed. Supermarket shelves empty. Those systems are in tatters..when the NHS  closes then we're fu@ked!"

Your words, you start with agreed facts but then masticate them into a hysterical conclusion. 
The only people remotely "fucked" are those who fail to get timely life-saving treatment for whatever their ailment, whilst that may be many it won't be most let alone all. 
If people won't behave considerately then the authorities will eventually be forced to exert forceful/martial law, drastic but not fucked.  Again the only ones "fucked" will be those who refuse to comply and are either sent or taken down, which will diminish the pool of "fuckers" (arguably long overdue).

[munterhunter]

"We are facing a threat that has to some degree or other spread throughout the world killed lots of people caused panic and paranoia...
Schools closed. Pubs and Restsutants closed. Supermarket shelves empty. Those systems are in tatters..when the NHS  closes then we're fu@ked!"

Your words, you start with agreed facts but then masticate them into a hysterical conclusion. 
The only people remotely "fucked" are those who fail to get timely life-saving treatment for whatever their ailment, whilst that may be many it won't be most let alone all. 
If people won't behave considerately then the authorities will eventually be forced to exert forceful/martial law, drastic but not fucked.  Again the only ones "fucked" will be those who refuse to comply and are either sent or taken down, which will diminish the pool of "fuckers" (arguably long overdue).

Again you see what you want to see not what I said.
OP suggests STI services are in tatters. My point is that a reduction in provision of sti services in the current circumstances is no great drama.
Yes people need to take sensible precautions seek appropriate medical care and act responsibly to minimise risk of spread.
I'm NOT masticating anything into a"hysterical" conclusion. Should the NHS close down we would be fucked. Perhaps if I'd said IF the NHS closes down we're fucked. And I think we would be I'm not suggesting it will shut down. My point in the context of the topic of the original post was to suggest to the OP that the NHS has higher priorities than providing the normal levels of STI services!
The hysteria seems to be coming from you!

[scutty brown]

Again you see what you want to see not what I said.
OP suggests STI services are in tatters. My point is that a reduction in provision of sti services in the current circumstances is no great drama.
Yes people need to take sensible precautions seek appropriate medical care and act responsibly to minimise risk of spread.
I'm NOT masticating anything into a"hysterical" conclusion. Should the NHS close down we would be fucked. Perhaps if I'd said IF the NHS closes down we're fucked. And I think we would be I'm not suggesting it will shut down. My point in the context of the topic of the original post was to suggest to the OP that the NHS has higher priorities than providing the normal levels of STI services!
The hysteria seems to be coming from you!

The NHS is underfunded, under resourced, and undermanned.
Parts of it are close to collapse. GP surgeries are on the edge of a healthcare precipice. So are the community services.
This isn't speculation - I see it on a daily basis through my work.

[Itsnotshy]

As from today you will struggle to get your teeth sorted also.

Good idea to have some Corsodyl dental gel in the house. That will deal with most minor tooth/gum infections and stop them from getting really bad.

[LLPunting]

Again you see what you want to see not what I said.
OP suggests STI services are in tatters. My point is that a reduction in provision of sti services in the current circumstances is no great drama.
Yes people need to take sensible precautions seek appropriate medical care and act responsibly to minimise risk of spread.
I'm NOT masticating anything into a"hysterical" conclusion. Should the NHS close down we would be fucked. Perhaps if I'd said IF the NHS closes down we're fucked. And I think we would be I'm not suggesting it will shut down. My point in the context of the topic of the original post was to suggest to the OP that the NHS has higher priorities than providing the normal levels of STI services!
The hysteria seems to be coming from you!

Many people continue to die of all the "tolerated" and "ignored" causes every moment of every day of this crisis.  The hysteria is yours in bleating about a however likely possibility that we as a society can mitigate by observing a very simple instruction to limit our interaction for a few scant months in a lifetime of months.

[LLPunting]

The NHS is underfunded, under resourced, and undermanned.
Parts of it are close to collapse. GP surgeries are on the edge of a healthcare precipice. So are the community services.
This isn't speculation - I see it on a daily basis through my work.

Whilst the parlous state of the NHS and supporting social services is an open sore it is within our remit both financially and behaviourally to deal with this as much as we've tolerated the situation prior to this crisis.  The government may have issued the bad decisions BUT we put/allowed them into power and refuse to hold them to account.  WE are responsible for the mess not "a nebulous them", everyone is complicit.

[scutty brown]

Whilst the parlous state of the NHS and supporting social services is an open sore it is within our remit both financially and behaviourally to deal with this as much as we've tolerated the situation prior to this crisis.  The government may have issued the bad decisions BUT we put/allowed them into power and refuse to hold them to account.  WE are responsible for the mess not "a nebulous them", everyone is complicit.

You can spout as much political bullshit rhethoric as you like but its not going to provide the wards, beds, ventilators and nurses we are going to need in the next few weeks. Irrespective of history, we now have a health service that simply will not be able to cope. That's the problem that needs fixing, not some irrelevant blame game

[Spencer Fobby]

You can spout as much political bullshit rhethoric as you like but its not going to provide the wards, beds, ventilators and nurses we are going to need in the next few weeks. Irrespective of history, we now have a health service that simply will not be able to cope. That's the problem that needs fixing, not some irrelevant blame game

Well said

[oldrunter]

Safest thing in these critical times is to refrain from punting. Stay home watch some porn and have a wank.
Less strain on the NHS and social distancing combined. 😉😋