Sexual Health Services in Barking, Havering and Redbridge
Our current services
Sexual health care: see sexual health FAQs below
HIV care: see HIV FAQs below
Contraception: see contraception FAQs below
Our venues
Our services currently run from Barking Community Hospital, Queen's Hospital, and Ilford Health Exchange Centre.
Barking Community Hospital is open for all sexual health and contraception services by walk-in for sexual health and short-acting contraception (eg. pills, patch, injection) or booked appointments (for IUD and implants).
Queen's Hospital is open for contraception only by booked appointment (Friday only).
Ilford Health Exchange Centre is open for contraception and limited sexual health services only by booked appointment (Wednesday and Thursday)
Alternatively, you can call 020 8970 5724 between 8am and 3pm, Monday to Friday to book an appointment, or for further information and advice.
Appointments
Appointments are released online Monday to Friday at 8am three weeks ahead for LARCS (implant, IUD/coil), and 8am Monday and Tuesday 24 hours ahead for limited sexual health appointments.
Due to high demand, appointments can be booked up quickly so please phone or access online booking at 8am.
Depending on the service, you will either be offered a face to face or telephone consultation, please make note of your appointment type when your booking is finalised. You may also be asked to contact us via the appointment line if we cannot book you online for the service you require.
If you are unable to attend your appointment for any reason, please contact the clinic or cancel via the text link as early as possible so that the appointment can be offered to someone else.
If you have an appointment, please do not pass urine at least two hours before your appointment.
You will be seen be either a male or female clinician.
General walk-in opening times at Barking Community Hospital:
Monday 09.00 to 11.30
Tuesday 12.00 to 14.30
Wednesday 13.00 to 16.00
Thursday 09.00 to 11.30
Friday 09.00 to 11.30
If we cannot see you during the walk in session, you may be offered an appointment in the afternoon or evening session. We are experiencing high demand and have a limited number of slots each day. If you can’t be seen on the day, a member of staff will discuss alternate options.
If you require emergency contraception, under the age of 18, require PEPSE (exposure to HIV within 72 hours), pregnant or been sexually assaulted you can walk in during the following times at Barking Community Hospital:
Monday 09.00 to 11.30 and 13.00 to 16.00
Tuesday 08:30 to 12.00, 12.00 to 14.30 and 16.00 to 19.00
Wednesday 13.00 to 16.00 and 16.00 to 19.00
Thursday 09.00 to 11.30 and 13.00 to 16.00
Friday 09.00 to 11.30 and 13.00 to 16.00
The clinic will be open 20 minutes before the start times for each session.
Please note this is a walk-in service and there may be long waiting times.
For all other enquiries or to make an appointment, call 020 8970 5724. Please inform us if you have a learning difficulty or speak little English.
Out of hours
If you require urgent treatment out of hours, call 111 or attend your nearest A&E.
There are numerous private (non-NHS) sites offering STI screening. You can search and compare prices online.
I think I have BV/Thrush/Urinary tract infection – what do I do?
Many pharmacies offer over-the-counter treatments. Your GP may be able to issue you a prescription over the telephone. If you are concerned, or your symptoms do not resolve with over-the-counter treatments/GP treatments then please contact us to make an appointment.
I have been diagnosed with HIV and would like to transfer my care
You can refer yourself to us for your treatment and care. Please contact the appointment line on 020 8970 5724 and ask to speak to the health advisor for HIV.
You can also be referred to us by other professionals, such as your GP or social worker who should refer you via the above email address.
We provide treatment and a range of support services, including counselling and advice. We work closely with Positive East, for more information about their services please see
https://www.positiveeast.org.uk/
I need more HIV medication
Please contact pharmacy on 01708 435 000, extension 4355. Please allow at least three days for us to prepare a prescription for you. If you are on home delivery, we will need ten working days’ notice in order for your medication to be delivered before you run out.
Please do not attend the pharmacy without making an appointment. Antiretroviral medication cannot be dispensed without prior notice.
If you need advice about side effects when this clinic is closed, please contact Barts and The London on 020 7377 7000 and ask for bleep 0121 or to speak to a senior nurse.
If you are on home care and have any problems with the delivery of your medication, please telephone Fairview on 020 3393 2242.
I feel unwell, what do I do?
If you are unwell/taken sick your first telephone should be to your GP. If the GP surgery is closed, telephone NHS 111. If you are advised to go to an Accident and Emergency department (A&E) and you cannot get yourself to hospital, telephone 999 for an ambulance which will take you to the nearest A&E department. It is important to tell the paramedics your HIV status.
You must take your medication with you, including your HIV treatment. This is so that you will not be given anything that is harmful to your treatment and so that you do not miss taking your medication if you are admitted. Whatever reason you are admitted for, your health will not improve if you miss taking your antiretroviral medication.
British HIV Association information regarding COVID19 and isolation: https://www.bhiva.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19
I am going to travel overseas, what do I need to consider?
Before arranging travel abroad, please consider if you are well enough to travel and does your HIV consultant agree you are fit to travel? Will travel fit around your appointments?
For example, if you have just started taking medication you will be seen regularly in clinic and you may not be able to manage any side effects while you are away.
Ensure your appointments fall before and after you travel or re-arrange your appointments, including blood tests, around your travel dates. Let your HIV consultant know your travel plans in advance so adequate medication can be provided for you.
Make sure you have enough medication to cover your trip, plus a little extra in case you are delayed. Arrange for a further supply of medication if necessary. This may mean contacting Pharmacy before you go away.
When you return to the UK you will need to isolate according to UK government guidance. Please take this into account when arranging follow up appointments. If you have been told to isolate you cannot attend this clinic.
I need more information on COVID-19 and HIV.
For information regarding COVID-19 and HIV please see:
The clinic needs at least two weeks’ notice to provide letters or other written information. Letters can be requested from the medical secretaries on 01708 435 000, extension 4336.
What is PrEP – Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis?
PrEP is medicine people at risk of HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injecting drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.
For more information, please see: https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv-and-sexual-health/prep-pre-exposure-prophylaxis
If you would like to talk to someone about PrEP, please telephone 0208 970 5724 and ask to speak to the Health Adviser.
Useful contact details
Appointment line: 020 8970 5724
Pharmacy: 01708 435 000 extension 4355
Referrals:
Email: barking.administrators@nhs.net
Contraception
Contraception appointments
Due to high demand; appointment availability is limited. If you are a vulnerable patient and/or have urgent needs, you will be prioritised. You will be offered contraceptive pills or an alternative short-acting method of contraception if there are no appointments available for the IUD/IUS or implant.
You may be offered an initial telephone consultation followed by an appointment in clinic depending on your needs. For short-acting contraception; you will be offered a medication collection appointment. If you are unable to get an appointment with us, you can access other NHS and private services.
NHS
You can request a prescription from your GP (this will likely be a telephone consultation).
You can register with Echo who will arrange for your medication from your GP to be sent to you by post. This is a free NHS service for repeat prescriptions.
GP at Hand: www.gpathand.nhs.uk/ . This is a free NHS service but you will be de-registered from your current GP
Short-acting hormonal contraception includes pills, patches and the vaginal ring. Please contact us if you wish to start one of these methods or need repeat supplies.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception - LARC
There are long-acting reversible contraception methods. These are:
We are encouraging women to consider the self-injection telephoneed “Sayana Press”. This method allows you to have full control over your injections and administer them yourself at home.
Please visit the website below for further information on Sayana Press:
This may not be a suitable option for all women and we will assess your suitability. We still offer in-clinic Depo-Provera injections for women that cannot use Sayana Press or decline.
Contraception Procedures
This section is for patients awaiting a contraception procedure: IUD/IUS/Implant insertion/removal/replacement; or for those who have recently had a contraception procedure.
Intrauterine Contraception - IUC
We offer two types of IUC; the copper IUD (intrauterine device) or hormonal IUS (intrauterine system). These devices are commonly known as “coils”.
Our service is funded to provide care for women requiring contraception.
If you do not require contraception and you want an intrauterine system (for example, Mirena) for HRT/other gynaecological reasons alone; please contact your GP.
Pre-fitting information
Please read the following information and watch the video before your IUC fitting appointment.
It is important that you are suitably prepared prior to the fitting of your intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS).
No method is 100 per cent effective. There is a small risk of failure (less than 1 in 100 chance of pregnancy; one in 2,000 chance of this being an ectopic pregnancy). There is a small risk of pelvic infection (less than 1 in 100) in the first few weeks after insertion of the device. There is a one in 20 chance of the device being expelled (falling out) and that this may go un-noticed. There is a rare (one in 1000) risk of perforation (hole) of the womb at the time of insertion of the device and if this happens, you may require an operation in hospital to remove the device.
If breastfeeding:
In the first six months of breastfeeding, the risk of perforation increases to 6 in 1000
If having the Copper IUD:
The copper IUD may make periods heavier, longer and/or more painful
If having the Hormone IUS:
The IUS may cause:
irregular bleeding or spotting for 3-6 months; after which lighter, infrequent or no bleeding is common
some general hormonal side effects, particularly in the first few months of use (e.g. headache, acne)
It is not safe to insert an IUD/IUS if there is a risk of pregnancy:
Pregnancy risk assessment
To undergo safe fitting, you must fulfil one of the following criteria:
Using a hormonal method of contraception correctly for a minimum of 4 weeks
Have not had un-protected vaginal sex since the beginning of your last period
Have not had un-protected vaginal sex for at least 3 weeks
Using a non-expired IUD/IUS that needs replacing and have not had un-protected vaginal sex in the last 7 days
What you should expect after the fitting and when you should seek advice.
Bleeding
You may experience some light vaginal bleeding after the fitting.
If you have had a hormonal IUS fitted.
Irregular and unpredictable light vaginal bleeding is common within the first 3-6 months. This usually settles to light monthly or infrequent bleeding or to no bleeding at all. This is because over time, the hormone in the IUS thins the lining of the womb. This is a normal side-effect of the IUS and is not a cause for concern.
If you have had a copper IUD fitted.
The copper IUD may make periods heavier, longer and/or more painful. The 2-3 months after the fitting are usually the most affected. Occasionally the IUD may cause bleeding between your periods, but you should return for a check-up if this continues beyond 3 months.
Pain
You may experience some lower abdominal (tummy) cramping for a few days after the fitting. Taking regular pain relief can help to relieve these symptoms.
Checking the threads
We recommend that you check after each period (or monthly) for the presence of the threads at the neck of the womb (cervix). If you cannot feel the threads, or can feel the hard stem of the device, use alternative contraception or avoid sex and contact the clinic as soon as possible. Although generally, use of a menstrual cup is fine; in some cases, it may cause the device to become dislodged, which might increase the chance of failure.
Having sex
If you had a copper IUD: it is effective as a contraceptive immediately. If you had a hormonal IUS: it becomes effective 7 days after fitting (or immediately; when fitted during the first 5 days of your period). If you have been using alternative contraception before the fitting, you may have been advised to continue with this, or use condoms, for the first 7 days.
You should seek further help if:
The pain does not settle within a week, or is getting worse
You experience heavy bleeding (more than a period)
You experience a continuous aching pain in your lower abdomen or a smelly discharge, or feel hot, shivery or unwell, particularly within the first 3 weeks of fitting. This may suggest an infection
You get deep pain during sex
You cannot feel the threads or think you can feel the stem of the device
If you are having problems or think something is wrong you should contact our clinic. Alternatively, you may visit your GP or your local A&E if you are very unwell / if it is an emergency.
Please see this video for useful post-fitting information:
Implant
Pre-fitting information
Please read the following information and watch the video before your implant fitting appointment.
We offer a walk-in service for emergency contraception which includes the emergency pill and emergency IUD. You must access emergency contraception as soon as possible.
You can also access emergency contraception (pill only) from most local pharmacies.
My IUD (copper-coil)/IUS (hormone-coil) / Implant is expired – what do I do?
Once your device has expired; continued contraceptive cover cannot be guaranteed. Contact us to book an appointment for your device to be replaced. In the meantime, you should use alternative contraception such as condoms or the contraceptive pill.
Due to high demand; appointment availability is limited. Vulnerable patients and/or those with urgent needs will be prioritised. You can request contraceptive pills or an alternative short-acting method of contraception if there are no appointments available.
I am due for my repeat Depo-Injection – What do I do?
We are encouraging women to consider the equivalent self-injection telephoneed “Sayana Press”. This method allows you to have full control over your injections and administer them yourself at home.
Please visit the website below for further information on Sayana Press:
This may not be a suitable option for all women and we will assess your suitability. We still offer in-clinic Depo-Provera injections for women that cannot use Sayana Press or decline.
If you are already using the Sayana press injection, see below (I am running out of my regular contraception (pills/patch/ring/Sayana press injection)- What do I do?)
I am running out of my regular contraception (pills/patch/ring/Sayana press injection) - What do I do?
Please contact us to book a telephone consultation and medication collection appointment.
I would like my IUD/IUS/Implant removed so that I can plan for a baby
I am worried about side effects from my contraception
See www.sexwise.fpa.org.uk/ for information on contraception and common side effects. If you have concerns; contact us to arrange a telephone consultation with a clinician.
Psychosexual Counselling
We can only accept psychosexual referrals from a health care practitioner i.e Doctors including GPs'/Clinical Psychologists/Therapist. We are unable accept self referrals unless they have been assessed and examined by a health care practitioner. All referrals must meet the referral criteria as stated on the referral form below:
This section of our webpage is for health and social care professionals/stakeholders only.
Our service is an integrated sexual health, HIV and contraception service providing specialist (level 3) sexual health and contraception care to residents of Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge; as well as those living in other London boroughs.
Sexual Health
Lead Consultant and Service clinical lead: Dr Avan Umaipalan
Lead Nurse: Sally Kelsey
We provide level 3 GUM services at our main hub site: Barking Community Hospital. This includes specialist clinics for complex symptoms such as recurrent thrush/BV, recurrent herpes, skin dermatoses etc.
HIV
Lead Consultant: Dr Avan Umaipalan
Lead Nurse: Brian Thornton
HIV services are based at Barking Community Hospital.
Contraception
Lead Consultant: Dr Sarwat Bari
Lead Nurse: Sally Kelsey
We provide level 3 contraception services at our main hub site: Barking Community Hospital.
Vulnerable patients/Safeguarding
Lead Consultant: Dr Sharmin Obeyesekera
Lead Health Advisor: Tommy Barry
Safeguarding Lead Advisor: Jigna Pandit
Our team of clinicians and health advisors support with the holistic care of vulnerable patients with sexual health and contraception needs.
Vulnerable patients include:
Young people (Under-18s)
Domestic abuse victims
Sex workers
Learning disabilities
Children/Adults in care
Training / Work-experience
General training lead consultant: Dr Marie Williamson
Contact us
If you would like to book an appointment, or if you have any questions about our service, call us on 0208 970 5724 .
