If you have active symptoms (like pain, a rash, or unusual discharge), you need to visit a physical sexual health clinic. In Wales, these are managed by the seven Local Health Boards (LHBs).
NHS Wales clinics provide comprehensive, free, and highly confidential testing and treatment. The challenge, especially outside Cardiff and Swansea, is getting an appointment.
🏥 Finding Your Local Clinic
Each LHB runs dedicated sexual health clinics. The main hubs include:
| LHB | Location | Primary Service |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff & Vale | Cardiff | University Hospital of Wales — Sexual Health |
| Swansea Bay | Swansea | Singleton Hospital — Sexual Health |
| Aneurin Bevan | Newport | Llanfrechfa Grange / Aneurin Bevan Sexual Health |
| Betsi Cadwaladr | Bangor / Rhyl | North Wales Sexual Health Services |
| Cwm Taf Morgannwg | Bridgend | Princess of Wales Hospital — Sexual Health |
| Hywel Dda | Carmarthen | West Wales General Hospital |
For current hours and appointment booking, check your LHB website directly or use 111.wales.nhs.uk to find your nearest service.
Symptomatic? Go to a clinic. Postal kits are for asymptomatic screening only. If you have active symptoms — discharge, a rash, pain — you need a physical appointment. Call your clinic or 111 Wales. Do not order a kit.
📅 The Appointment System
The system relies heavily on phone booking and online triage. Walk-in appointments for routine testing are increasingly rare.
- Call ahead: Always call the clinic or check their specific LHB website before attending.
- Triage: You will often be asked a series of questions over the phone to determine if you need a same-day emergency slot (e.g., severe pain, PEP request) or a routine slot later in the week.
🩸 What Happens at the Clinic
When you arrive, you will be asked for your sexual history. Be completely honest. Your answers determine what tests you get, and the clinic operates under the strict NHS Firewall.
The Three-Site Principle
For men who have sex with men, a urine sample is never enough. The clinic will automatically apply the "three-site" testing protocol:
- Urine: To check for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the urethra.
- Throat Swab: To check for oral infections.
- Rectal Swab: To check for anal infections.
Blood Tests
A nurse will draw blood from your arm to test for HIV and Syphilis. If you are on PrEP, they will also test your kidney function. Depending on your history, they may also test for Hepatitis.
Results
Standard screening results take between 3 and 10 days. You will receive a text message if everything is clear. If something is positive, the clinic will call you directly to arrange treatment. If you have symptoms on the day, microscopy can sometimes provide an immediate diagnosis and same-day antibiotics.
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