As you might already know, we have added a significant number of new testing options on The STI Clinic in the past few months (amongst those, the HIV test and the two MSM tests). This is because we are dedicated to providing the widest possible range of choices to all who want to use our fast and reliable lab-based testing service. However, as our website keeps expanding, we have noticed that some of our pages started to accumulate a lot of information, and may not have been as clear as they could have been.

Hence, we thought of making the test selection process easier and have updated our “Buy Now” page. This page is not only fresher and clearer. It now also has a new feature that we think is very important when looking into buying an STI test: a filtering option.

Now you can go on the “Buy Now” page, click on “find test by type of infection” and tick all the infections that you want to test for. The page will automatically upload showing you only the tests that can check for the infections you have ticked. All you have to do afterwards is select the test and start the purchasing process.

We have also added some visual icons that will hopefully make the process even easier. Feel free to check the bottom of the page for an updated key on what the icons mean.

We welcome feedback and suggestions so feel free to send us your comments on this change. We hope to keep improving your experience on our site so that ordering your test kit is as hassle-free as possible.

Although sexual health is important, the topic still remains a sensitive area that most patients do not wish to discuss. Recently we were made aware of potential confidentiality changes that may happen at NHS sexual health or GUM clinics, which both surprised and shocked us. Here we provide our view on the matter.

Up until now, individuals who have sought treatment at sexual health clinics in the UK have been made aware that their tests and diagnoses are kept under a separate identification numbers and not accessible to other clinicians who may treat them in other circumstances - such as their GP. This is valuable as it is a way of circumventing the embarrassment and stigma that may deter individuals from getting tested for STIs and from accessing treatment. However, a recent oversight in the latest version of the Health and Social Care Act appears to have made it possible to merge sexual health information with other clinical information for the same individual.

We feel that while on the one hand the accessibility of such information could be valuable, overall it is likely to do more harm than good if patients are made aware of the proposed change. For instance, researching sexual health is notoriously difficult as few individuals wish to take part in such studies and it is challenging to estimate how many individuals may have an STI but be unaware of it due to lack of symptoms. If this information were to be provided to general medical records, then researchers would have greater access to valuable data. However, given the nature of the data, we believe a standard procedure of consenting a patient to provide the information would be far more ethical. If this method is used, then we see no need to merge the records.

It has been argued that individuals who have HIV may benefit from all of their clinicians knowing about this and we have to agree that this is unarguable. But what if the merging of records puts people off getting tested in the first place? Early detection is crucial with HIV as patients can be monitored and put on medication that will give them a close to normal life expectancy and makes them less infectious. So maybe a system that encourages testing is better than one that is totally joined-uu?

Since we opened in 2008, we have spoken to many patients who are worried that somebody will find out about them contacting us. We understand how sensitive issues regarding sexual health are, and have done our utmost to keep our services 100% discreet. This is what patients expect and demand. The proposed change will be good for us and other private providers but will it be good for the nation’s sexual health strategy? We think not.

It is possible that deliveries will be affected over the Olympic period, 23rd of July until 9th September. Items sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery and posted from or to London could potentially be affected.

Patients are asked to place orders early in the day if they wish to receive their item the next day. Furthermore, First Class items that are posted from or to London could arrive early in the morning or much later in the day than usual.

To be absolutely clear, we will still be dispatching all orders received by 5.00 pm Monday to Friday on the day the order is received.

Thank you for your patience at this time. If you have any further queries, please contact us.