Camberwell Sexual Health Centre

What we do

Our clinics are currently very busy due to the impact of COVID-19 on staffing levels, and the effect of the Monkeypox outbreak. Clinic operations are subject to short notice changes, urgent cases are being prioritised, and you may experience longer waiting times.

If you walk into the clinic and we are unable to see you that day, depending on your symptoms we will either book you the next available appointment, or ask you to book a next-day appointment using our online booking system (below).

We apologise for any possible inconvenience caused.

Do not come to the clinic if you have symptoms of coronavirus or if you may have come into contact with someone with coronavirus. For the latest guidance about coronavirus, please visit the GOV.UK website.

Please wear a face covering when you come to the clinic.

Monkeypox update

Some monkeypox symptoms, such as ulcers and rashes, may also be seen with some sexually transmitted infections. For this reason if you have these symptoms please:

• tell reception staff on arrival, so you can be seen by the most appropriate clinician
• cover any rashes, blisters or ulcers anywhere on your body until you see the clinician.

For the latest information on monkeypox, including symptoms, go to the GOV.UK website.

Monkeypox vaccination

There are currently limited supplies of the vaccine available nationally. To make the best use of current supplies and to help stop the spread of the virus, the NHS is prioritising vaccination for people at higher risk of very close or frequent contact with someone with monkeypox. To see if you are eligible go to: Monkeypox: waiting for your vaccination.

As vaccine supplies become available, we are sending text messages to eligible people, who have previously attended our services at Camberwell Sexual Health Centre, the Caldecot Centre or Beckenham Beacon Sexual Health Centre, inviting them to book their vaccine appointment. Please do not attend for vaccination unless you have an appointment. Due to low vaccine supplies, we are regrettably unable to provide a vaccine unless you have an appointment.

Contraception

Contraceptive pills, patches or rings

It is possible to order pills, patches and vaginal rings online:

• if you live in Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster, Ealing, Harrow, Hackney, City of London and Brent, please visit the Sexual Health London website
• if you live in Croydon, please visit the Croydon Sexual Health website

However, if you have difficulty accessing the online service or have complex medical needs you can book a face-to-face contraception appointment.

Emergency contraception

If you need emergency contraception, walk in, visit a local pharmacy, or order online.

If you walk in, you will be placed into a queuing system to return when there is a doctor or nurse available to see you. We cannot guarantee how long your wait will be and at particularly busy times we may need to close walk in early.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs or coils)

Book a face-to-face coil appointment if:

• you want a coil fitted or replaced
• you need an emergency coil (this can be fitted up to five days after first unprotected sex in your menstrual cycle for emergency contraception)

Implants

Book a face-to-face implant appointment if you want an implant inserted or removed.

Contraception advice

Book a face-to-face appointment for contraception advice if:

• you would like to discuss contraceptive options or problems with current contraception
• you are planning for pregnancy or are worried that you could be pregnant
• you need a contraceptive (Depo) injection, IUD or IUS coil removal or check, pills, patches or vaginal rings

Appointments are released each day at midday for the next working day (for example, Tuesday slots are released midday on Monday and Monday slots are released midday on Friday).

Sexual health

Order a home testing kit if you have no symptoms or mild symptoms such as burning when you pee.

This testing is the same as we perform in clinic for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and hepatitis if needed. The system asks questions to establish what testing you need and you can do this testing safely at home. Results are normally returned within a week. Blood tests are performed on a finger prick.

Book a face-to-face appointment for sexual health advice if:

• you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection such as penile or vaginal discharge or unusual bleeding
• you have noticed a rash or lumps/bumps around your genitals
• you are worried about your sex life, relationships or drug use and want to access our wellbeing services
• you have a flare up of genital herpes
• if you have been in contact with someone with a sexually transmitted infection or if you have tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection
• you want to start or continue pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention

Appointments are released each day at midday for the next working day (for example, Tuesday slots are released midday on Monday and Monday slots are released midday on Friday).

Walk in to the clinic if:

• you have painful blisters or ulcers on your genitals
• you have severe lower abdominal pain or painful swelling of the testicles
• you have pus like discharge from the penis
• you have been sexually assaulted (raped) - please note we are not able to provide forensic testing in clinic, this can be accessed via The Havens on 020 3299 6900 or police on 101
• you need emergency contraception
• you require post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention
• you have learning difficulties or other significant disability
• you are 17 or younger

Sometimes the wait for this service can be long if we need to prioritise patients who have urgent care needs.

Opening hours:
Monday: 8am to 3.30pm
Tuesday: 8am to 3.30pm
Wednesday: 12pm to 6.30pm
Thursday: 10am to 5.30pm
Friday: 8am to 3.30pm

We are closed on weekends and bank (public) holidays.

CliniQ (for trans and non-binary people)

• This clinic is only for trans and non-binary people who need sexual health care (STI testing or contraception), PrEP, hormone injections, hormone blood levels, or a smear test.
• Book a CliniQ face-to-face appointment
• For information on other CliniQ services, including counselling and telephone consultations, please contact admin@cliniq.org.uk.

Abortions

Please note, from 1 April 2022 the Central Booking Service is no longer available.

If you are resident or registered with a GP practice located in the following South East London boroughs: Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley, Lewisham, Bexley or Greenwich, you can now choose to have your abortion with either:

• BPAS
• MSI
• NUPAS

If you live in another borough or are not registered with a GP in one of the above boroughs, you can contact one of the above providers for further advice. More information on abortion services is available here.

Abortions are simpler and safer the earlier they are carried out. For more information go to the NHS website.

Sexual assault

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, then please contact The Havens.

Preparing for your appointment

Do not come to the clinic if you have symptoms of coronavirus or if you may have come into contact with someone with coronavirus. For the latest guidance about coronavirus, please visit the GOV.UK website.

Please wear a face covering when you come to the clinic.

Male patients
Do not pass urine for at least one hour before you attend the clinic.

Chaperones
If you need to be examined, you can ask to have a second member of staff (chaperone) present. Please note, due to staff shortages, if no chaperone is available on the day of your appointment, you may need to reschedule your appointment.

If you are having an IUD, IUS (coil) or implant fitted
You must not have risked pregnancy in your current menstrual cycle; that is, no sexual intercourse since your last normal period or correctly and consistently using a reliable method of contraception. The withdrawal method and diaphragms or caps are not highly reliable methods of contraception.

If you are having an emergency IUD (coil) fitted
An emergency IUD can be fitted up to 5 days after the first unprotected sex in your menstrual cycle. If you have had unprotected sex more than once since your last period, then an emergency IUD can be fitted up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have released an egg (ovulated).

Having an IUD or IUS (coil) removed or replaced
If you want to have an IUD or IUS removed or replaced and you are not planning a pregnancy, it is important that you use condoms or do not have sex for seven days before your appointment.

Location

Ground floor, Camberwell Sexual Health Centre, Camberwell Building, 100 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 5000

Conditions we treat

Self-referrals
We provide a full range of contraception, testing and treatment for STIs, post-exposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. Patients can self-refer to the service. For information on how patients can do this please see the ‘General Information’ page.

We are currently offering face-to-face consultations, via booked appointments and limited walk-in service for emergencies.

GP referrals
GPs can refer into our appointment clinics for:

• persistent or recurrent genital symptoms such as herpes, non-specific urethritis (NSU), vaginal discharge, and prostatitis
• complex STIs such as syphilis
• STIs in pregnancy
• genital dermatoses
• routine IUD, IUS or implant insertions
• ultrasound scans for missing IUD or IUS threads, suspected device displacements or expulsions
• ultrasound guided IUD or IUS insertions or removals
• ultrasound scans for impalpable or deep implants and ultrasound guided implant removal
• investigation and management of bleeding problems or pelvic pain in contraceptive users
• contraceptive advice for patients with complex medical comorbidities or social vulnerabilities.

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

Please complete the referral form below and note the results of any investigations already done. Ensure you include the patient’s mobile number on the referral form.

Email a completed referral form to: kch-tr.outpatientofficer@nhs.net.

The patient will be given an appointment for a virtual (telephone) consultation with a specialist. After the virtual consultation they will be booked into a face-to-face appointment for physical examination and / or their procedure.

Emergency Referrals

Outside of clinic opening hours please bleep the HIV/Sexual Health on-call doctor (bleep 515) via switchboard on 020 3299 9000.

Other Queries

For general enquiries about our clinics and appointments, contact the department on 020 3299 5000 to be put through to the relevant person.

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:

• Sexual health service - referral form for GPs

Key Clinical Staff