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The clinics held on a Monday at Central Health Centre, Cumbernauld will end after 8th Sept.

Revised clinic opening times (from 15 September 2025):

• Young People Plus clinic – Friday: 1 to 2pm (walk in, no appointment needed).
  Young People aged 20 and under. Registration starts from 12:45pm.
• Sexual Health clinic – Friday: 9am to 4pm (appointment only).

A vaccination to help protect against gonorrhoea is now available in Scotland.

In Lanarkshire, vaccine clinics will be on:

• Saturday 6 September, 2025 at Glenalmond Clinic, Coathill Hospital, Coatbridge, ML5 4DN and
• Sunday 7 September, 2025 at Eddlewood Community Hall, Birkhill Road (by Strathaven Rd), Hamilton, ML3 8BG.

Mpox vaccines will also be available at these clinics. Patients who are eligible will be sent an SMS with a passcode inviting them to book an appointment online.

Further information on the Gonorrhoea vaccine can be found on NHS Inform via this link:
Vaccination to help protect against gonorrhoea (NHS Inform)

European HIV and Hepatitis testing week will be celebrated this year between the 18^th and 25^th of November 2024. It leads up to World AIDS Day, which is always held on the 1^st of December; this year on Sunday 1^st December 2024.

By raising awareness about the benefits of testing for HIV and hepatitis, more people become knowledgeable about their risks, understand that there is effective treatment available and are aware of their HIV and/or hepatitis status. It’s better to know your status as soon as possible because today people living with HIV and/or hepatitis B can live well with a long-life expectancy. When treatment starts early; and those with hepatitis C can be cured.

Testing week offers NHS Lanarkshire and partners the opportunity to work together and raise awareness about the benefits of, and accessibility of testing. In hopes that more people are informed about maximising positive sexual health and to understand that effective treatment is available and where to access this.

Testing is offered by NHS Lanarkshire across a number of sexual health clinics throughout Lanarkshire. You can also order home self-sampling kit’s, which are bookable online via the Lanarkshire Sexual health website. These are free, confidential and easy to use. If you are eligible you can also order a free HIV self test online through Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). You can also seek testing for HIV through your GP.

The most recent report from Health Protection Scotland (HPS) shows that up until 31 December 2023, a total of 6761 people were recorded as being diagnosed and living with HIV in Scotland. It is estimated that there are around 500 people living in Scotland who have HIV but have not been diagnosed, making testing very important.

In 2023, 385 new HIV-positive results were recorded in Scotland and of these, 126 were first ever diagnoses and 259 had been previously diagnosed elsewhere but were newly reported in Scotland during this period. Of the 126 first ever new diagnoses recorded 62 (49%) were heterosexually acquired and therefore the largest proportion. 34 (27%) were among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Among people who inject drugs, first ever diagnoses remains relatively low compared to other groups at risk.

HIV overall continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men, as well as individuals of black African ethnicity. However, HIV can affect anyone and there are still people who have HIV but don’t know it – making access to and availability of testing vital.

The red ribbon is the international symbol of HIV awareness, support for people living with HIV and the acknowledgement of so many lives lost over the last 50 years. It is a simple and powerful way to challenge stigma and prejudice around HIV and also shows support for people living with HIV. HIV positive individuals who are on effective treatment can become undetectable, meaning HIV cannot be transmitted to another person through sex. The message U = U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) demonstrates the huge steps forward in treatment.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for us to raise awareness with both staff and members of the public about HIV and AIDS and directly challenge and address associated stigma. It exists to shine a light on the real experiences of people living with HIV today, while celebrating the strength, resilience and diversity of the communities most affected. It is a moment to inspire the leadership needed to create a future where HIV doesn’t stand in the way of anyone’s life. One way to do this is to watch and share the national campaign, developed by THT, focussing on the key message “stigma is more harmful than HIV”.

This World AIDS Day, the theme focuses on: Take the rights path. With human rights at the centre, with communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

As we remember those we’ve lost to HIV, join with our community to promise, pledge and take a stand against stigma for people living with HIV – because it’s more than a ribbon, World AIDS Day | Terrence Higgins Trust

Show your support for World AIDS Day – wear a red ribbon.

Lanarkshire Mpox vaccination clinics:

• Dates/times: Friday 9th/Saturday 10th August 2024, 8:30am–7:30pm.
• Venue: Eddlewood Public Hall, Birkhall Rd (by Strathaven Rd), Hamilton ML3 8BG.

Please use this link to our online booking system. On your mobile phone, scroll down to select the PASSCODE option. Enter Passcode: LAN202MV

Anyone can get Mpox, however, most of the cases across Europe and the UK have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

Vaccination to help protect against Mpox continues for eligible groups. If you are eligible for vaccination and wish to be considered for vaccination please contact the sexual health team to discuss this on: 0300 303 0251

If you believe you have Mpox (Monkeypox) or have come into contact in the last 21 days with someone who has or have symptoms consistent with the case definition, please do NOT come to a sexual health clinic without phoning first.

Mpox is not an STI by nature, though it can be passed on by direct contact during sex. We always encourage use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and we offer free condoms by post.

All Young people’s (YP) Clinics in Lanarkshire are drop-in/walk-in services, with no appointment needed. This means you do not need to call the appointment line and you can simply turn up on the day. These clinics are specifically for Lanarkshire residents aged 20 years old and under.

*Registration in the first hour, between 4 pm and 5 pm only, at our clinics in Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Hamilton and Viewpark.*

*Registration is between 4 pm and 6 pm at our clinics in Airdrie, Cambuslang, East Kilbride, Lanark, Motherwell and Wishaw.*

*Registration is from 3.45 pm for Chryston Community Hub* 

There are 12 Young People’s Clinics in Lanarkshire, you don’t have to attend your nearest clinic.

For information on the locations and the days/times these clinics are open, please visit the Young People’s Clinic Page.

Please note, depending on the numbers attending, some patients may be asked to complete a triage form, if all available slots have been allocated.

If you believe you have Mpox (Monkeypox) or have come into contact in the last 21 days with someone who has or have symptoms consistent with the case definition, please do not come to a sexual health clinic without phoning first: 0300 303 0251

Anyone can get Mpox, However, currently most of the cases across Europe and the UK have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

Vaccination to help protect against mpox continues for eligible groups. If you are eligible for vaccination and wish to be considered for vaccination please contact the sexual health team to discuss this on : 0300 303 0251

Mpox is not an STI by nature, though it can be passed on by direct contact during sex. We always encourage use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The spots, ulcers and blisters, which are most likely to pass on Mpox, can appear on any part of the body, so condoms will not necessarily prevent transmission of the virus between two people who are in direct contact, including during sex.

Although it is not clear if Mpox can be transmitted through genital secretions, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is advising the precaution of using condoms for 12 weeks after a confirmed diagnosis of Mpox. we offer free condoms by post.