What the service does
How to access the service
Clinic locations
GUM clinic survey
Useful links
What the service does
We provide a wide range of sexual health and HIV services. Anyone can make an appointment for our sexual health clinics, which are often called GUM clinics. GUM stands for genito-urinary medicine.
If you are looking for information on contraception or abortion services, please see our Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Service page.
Our service is mainly organised into male and female clinics, with separate entrances and waiting areas. We have one mixed clinic each week.
GUM clinic opening times are available on the Sexual Health NI website. Please note, GUM clinics are closed on weekends and bank holidays. If you need advice when our GUM clinics are closed, please call the NHS sexual health helpline on 0800 567123.
Our GUM clinics offer:
- testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV testing and management
- free condoms
- pregnancy testing
- hepatitis A and B vaccinations
- education on safer sex
- management of erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunctions – GP referral required
- support and counselling
- human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination
- interventions aimed at reducing risky behaviour
- post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV
- pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV – assessment required beforehand
More detailed information on our HIV service is available here.
How to access the service
Making an appointment
There are two ways to make an appointment:
- Ring the clinic appointment line on 028 9615 2111 between 8.15am and 10.15am (HIV patients should ring 028 9615 1115). The appointment line is often very busy. Please follow the instructions. Emergency appointments will be allocated as soon as possible, based on clinical need.
- Talk to your GP, who can make a referral and get an appointment for you.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us as soon as possible on 028 9615 2111 so we can reschedule. We also have an email address for cancelling GUM clinic appointments: GUMapptCancelLine@belfasttrust.hscni.net. You will not get a response to your cancellation email.
You are also free to go to a sexual health clinic in one of the other Trusts. See the Sexual Health NI website for more information on GUM clinics across Northern Ireland.
Emergencies
If you feel unwell and it can’t wait until your next scheduled appointment, you can contact the clinic during opening hours and get advice from one of the nurses.
If you think you need to be seen right away, go to your nearest Emergency Department.
If you think you have been exposed to HIV, you may be eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This is a medication that can help prevent HIV from developing. Please contact the GUM clinic or your nearest Emergency Department within 72 hours of exposure, but preferably as soon as possible.
If you have been sexually assaulted, contact The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre. You should also report the incident to the PSNI.
If you experience any kind of emotional or mental health crisis when clinic services are closed, contact the out-of-hours GP or your local Emergency Department. You can also contact:
- Lifeline on 0808 808 8000
- Samaritans on 116 123 (free)
Referral to the risk reduction clinic
We have a risk reduction clinic several times each week. It has been set up to provide:
- testing for sexually transmitted infections
- interventions aimed at reducing risky behaviour
- access to the HIV prevention drug PrEP
To access this clinic, you must first be assessed in any GUM clinic in Northern Ireland. If you meet the criteria, you will be referred to the risk reduction clinic.
Home testing
SH24 is a regional pilot project managed by the Northern Trust. It provides home testing kits to anyone who does not have symptoms but would like to have a sexual health check. This service is open to everyone across Northern Ireland. Test kits can be ordered directly and posted to your home.
Your GUM clinic appointment
- Your GUM clinic appointment will be with a doctor or specialist nurse.
- Everyone should bring a list of any medications they are taking.
- Men should try to avoid passing urine for two hours before their appointment.
- Women should bring a note of when they had their last period and smear test done.
- Trans people can use the male or female entrance, depending on how they identify.
GUM clinic locations
Main GUM clinic
Our main GUM clinic is situated on level three of the Outpatients Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The easiest way to access the clinic is from the Falls Road entrance to the hospital. Access is also available through the main hospital entrance.
Risk reduction clinic
The risk reduction clinic takes place in the main GUM clinic.
Outreach clinics
We also provide outreach sexual health clinics in community locations. Outreach clinics are provided in partnership with The Rainbow Project.
Other services
The Belfast Sex Worker Service is a drop-in service operating within Belfast city centre. It is specifically directed at sex workers. The service is open on Thursday evenings between 6pm and 10pm in Bryson House on Bedford Street. Contact Susan on 028 9504 3535 for further information.
HIV testing is also available at Positive Life.
GUM clinic survey
We want your feedback on your GUM clinic appointment. This will help us develop our service. Please take a few minutes to complete the GUM clinic patient survey.
You do not need to provide any personal details and all responses are anonymous.
Sexual Health Training Team
Our Sexual Health Training Team offers a wide selection of training courses, both locally and regionally.
Course information is available here.
Useful links
Advice sheet on getting your GUM clinic results
Advice sheet on speaking to partners about sexually transmitted infections
Positive Life
Nexus NI
Haven: Belfast – domestic and sexual violence app