Ireland's health system has its own terminology and acronyms, and the sexual health system adds a few more. This guide covers the vocabulary you need to navigate it efficiently.

Key Institutions

HSE (Health Service Executive)

The public health system. Free at point of service for those with a Medical Card; GP visits and specialist referrals cost money otherwise. For sexual health specifically, many services are free regardless of Medical Card status — the GMHS, GUIDE Clinic, and SH:24 postal testing all operate this way.

GMHS (Gay Men's Health Service)

The primary dedicated sexual health service for gay and bisexual men in Ireland. Based in Dublin (Haddington Road / Baggot Street area). The institutional equivalent of London's 56 Dean Street — specialist, non-judgmental, and well-resourced. The standard of care for gay sexual health in Dublin.

GUIDE Clinic (St James's Hospital)

The specialist HIV and sexual health clinic at Ireland's main infectious disease hospital. More specialist than the GMHS — used for HIV management, complex STI presentations, and PEP follow-up. If the GMHS is your GP, the GUIDE Clinic is your specialist.

SH:24

The free HSE-funded postal testing service (sh24.ie). The default for routine quarterly STI/HIV screening. Nationwide coverage. You order online, sample at home, post back, get results by text. The abbreviation stands for "Sexual Health 24" — emphasising 24-hour access.

Key Terms

A&E (Accident & Emergency)

Ireland's equivalent of the ER/Emergency Room. Where you go for PEP out of hours, or any acute sexual health emergency. Standard A&E attendance fee is €100 without a GP referral; Medical Card holders are free. Do not go to a GP out-of-hours service for PEP — they do not have HIV medication.

DPS Card (Drugs Payment Scheme)

A card that caps your monthly pharmaceutical costs at €80. With a DPS card, PrEP is free at any pharmacy in Ireland — you present your prescription and DPS card, and pay nothing. Apply at hse.ie or any pharmacy. Takes a few weeks to process; apply before you need it.

Medical Card

A means-tested card that makes all GP visits and prescriptions free. If you have one, you don't need the DPS card — you're already fully covered. Medical cards are income-assessed; many people on lower incomes or benefits qualify.

GP (General Practitioner)

Your family doctor. Standard consultation fee in Ireland: €50–70 without a Medical Card. GPs can prescribe PrEP, order basic STI tests, and refer to specialists. Limitations: most GPs cannot do three-site STI screening (no rectal or throat swabs in a standard practice) and may have limited knowledge of gay sexual health specifics.

STI Screen / Full Screen

The colloquial term for a complete sexual health check. When talking to a clinic or GP, "I want a full screen" is clear and understood. For the GMHS or GUIDE Clinic, this will include the three-site panel. For a GP, you may need to be more specific.

Three-Site Panel / Three-Site Screen

Throat swab, rectal swab, and urethral swab (or urine sample) for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, plus blood for HIV and syphilis. This is the standard that catches most infections in gay men. A urine-only test misses the majority of gonorrhoea and chlamydia in this population. Ask for all three explicitly: "I need a throat swab, rectal swab, and urine test."

Reactive Result

Medical jargon for a test result that warrants follow-up — not necessarily the same as "positive." If SH:24 texts you to call them, it may mean a reactive (potentially positive) HIV result, or it may mean the sample was insufficient or needs confirmation. Call them back — don't panic and don't ignore it.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

HIV prevention medication, taken before potential exposure. Free in Ireland via the HSE scheme with a DPS card and a prescription from an approved provider. See PrEP in Ireland: The HSE Scheme.

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

HIV prevention medication taken after a potential exposure. Must start within 72 hours; ideally within 24. Available from A&E departments at major hospitals. See PEP in Ireland: A&E.

Key Phrases

Getting Tested

  • "I want a full sexual health screen." — Clear and understood at any sexual health service.
  • "I need a three-site screen — throat, rectal, and urine." — Use this at a GP to specify what you actually need.
  • "I'm on PrEP and due my three-month monitoring." — At the GMHS or GUIDE Clinic, this gets you the right appointment type.

Starting PrEP

  • "I'd like to start PrEP. Can you prescribe it?" — Direct, to a GP or at the GMHS.
  • "How long is the wait for a PrEP initiation appointment?" — Useful to know upfront at the GMHS.
  • "Do you prescribe PrEP?" — Ask before booking a GP appointment.

Needing PEP

  • "I've had a high-risk exposure to HIV in the last [X] hours and I need PEP." — At A&E triage.
  • "My partner was HIV-positive / unknown status. We had receptive anal sex without a condom." — Be specific; it establishes clinical urgency.

Protecting Your Privacy

  • "Will this be shared with my GP?" — Sexual health records at GMHS are separate from GP records, similar to the UK's Firewall. You can ask explicitly.
  • "I'd prefer to keep my sexual health care separate from my GP." — The GMHS and GUIDE Clinic operate independent record systems.

Acronyms Summary

Acronym Full Form What it means in practice
HSE Health Service Executive Ireland's public health system
GMHS Gay Men's Health Service Main gay sexual health clinic, Dublin
GUIDE Global Urban Interdisciplinary Div. of Epidemiology HIV/specialist clinic at St James's
DPS Drugs Payment Scheme Card that makes PrEP free at pharmacies
PrEP Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis HIV prevention pill (before exposure)
PEP Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Emergency HIV prevention (after exposure)
STI Sexually Transmitted Infection Replaces "STD" in all current usage
A&E Accident & Emergency Where you go for PEP out of hours

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