What are GUM clinics?

Your local GUM Clinic (Genito-Urinary Medicine) is an NHS run clinic for all aspects of sexual health. You can find details of your nearest clinic in the phone book under genito-urinary clinic, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal diseases (VD). You may also find your nearest clinic by visiting the following website http://www.ruthinking.co.uk/default.aspx. However, we are not liable or in any way responsible for the content or suitability of any external sites that you reach from within this site.
At the clinic you will get free, confidential advice and treatment. You can go to a clinic anywhere in the country, it doesn’t have to be your local one and you don’t have to be referred by your doctor. When phoning up to make an appointment make sure you state if you would prefer to see a male or a female doctor.

Will people know I have been?

The law guarantees your confidentiality. Your GUM Clinic records cannot be shown to your doctor or insurance companies. However, if you go to your doctor first and you’re referred in writing to the clinic, the clinic will then send a letter to your doctor to say what treatment you have had. These details will then go on your doctor’s records causing possible future problems, if one day you apply for a mortgage or life insurance. So it is advisable to go to the clinic first and not to your doctor.

What else can I get from visiting a GUM clinic?

Free at most GUM Clinics you should be able to get, information and advice about having a healthy sex life, a full range of tests for STIs and the relevant treatment.
Most of the clinics have health advisers who regularly experience a wide range of problems and can spend more time with you than a doctor. They won’t tell you what to do, but talk you through your choices. You can talk to the health adviser about any aspects of sexual health, such as STIs, relationships, how to tell a partner or past partner you have an infection, loss of sex drive or problems with erections. You can talk to an adviser over the phone or by appointment.

Certificates

The Code of Practice for models and producers in the Gay Adult Industry require models to hold, and be able to produce on demand, certificates showing their latest set of sexual health test results. The standard set of results should include HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

It is strongly advised that when approaching a GUM Clinic for testing that you find out whether or not they will provide certificates and if they do, how much it will cost. Some clinics are reluctant to provide certificates because of the uncertainness of the window period and models relying on certificates to prove they have no infection. Some clinics may simply refuse to provide certificates. Also GUM Clinics that do provide certificates charge very wide ranging fees, do check the cost before agreeing to the certificates. If you have problems at your local GUM clinic then do refer to the recommended clinics on this site – let us know if you can recommend any other clinic.

Results and certificates may take up to ten days to be available from the date of the testing. Some GUM Clinics may provide an HIV point of care (finger prick) test which may give you the result the same day of taking the sample but do not rely on this being available.

It is always advisable to give sufficient time for the testing and return of results and certificates before accepting a booking if your certificates are out of date or you are new to the industry and do not have any certification.

You must always take photographic identity i.e. a passport or driving licence to the GUM Clinic as it will be this reference identity number that will be printed on your certificates to prove that it was you that attended the clinic for the tests. It has been known for a model to send a stand-in to take his tests or for a model to use somebody else’s certificates as their own.

First visit to a GUM Clinic

When attending a clinic for the first time be sure to leave at least several hours. You will visit the doctor for a chat and have a few simple tests; some test results may be available while you are in the clinic. After you have had the tests you will again see the doctor who will discuss any results with you and you may need to arrange a further appointment. Try to avoid urinating for at least 4 hours before your visit, as a urine sample will be taken.
Be warned you will be asked very personal questions for example:

• When did you last have sex?
• Was it a regular or casual partner?
• How many sexual partners have you had?
• Have you always practiced safe sex?

Though these questions may be embarrassing you should always give honest answers, the doctors and advisers are not there to judge you, just to help and advice. Unless you are visiting a clinic that has been recommended be aware that occasionally some doctors do not look favourably on the adult industry and although you are being responsible you may be given a frosty reception. Please do not let that put you off but maybe look for a more supportive clinic.
Remember as well, that sexual health problems are what the clinic is there for and they are trained professionals who are used to all kinds of situations.