Sexual health

Monkeypox Infection: If you think you have monkeypox symptoms – however mild:

• Contact NHS 111 immediately. Your call will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
• Avoid close personal or sexual contact with others until you have had a clinical assessment

Vaccination

You could be eligible for vaccination to reduce the risk of monkey pox infection.

If you are eligible to receive a vaccine to reduce the risk of monkey pox infection ring 0191 223 1040, Monday to Friday, between 10am and 3pm to book an appointment.

From 1 June 2021, the New Croft Centre will be performing a study of levonorgestrel intrauterine systems (IUSs) – coils that contain hormones – for educational and information purposes. 

This study is to find out about the menstrual periods of our patients during their first year of using an IUS so that in future we can provide information on periods to those who want to use the IUS for contraception.

We are aware many service users are concerned about Spiking where an individual has been pricked with a needle by an unknown person, usually in a bar or night club.  

Medical services do not have a test to confirm whether or not you have been injected with a substance.  Medical care considers the risk of blood borne virus exposure. To date, no cases of blood borne virus transmission following spiking have been recorded in our region.  Screening and vaccination can be arranged by your GP.  If you feel medically unwell, care options available include telephoning 111 or presenting to A&E. 

Needlestick injuries can be associated with a risk of exposure Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV. The risk to the individual sustaining the injury depends on the type of needle ​(eg whether it was a needle used in healthcare or a solid needle like a sewing needle) , and whether or not it has ever been used for the injection of drugs or used to injure another person.  

HIV is a fragile virus outside of the body, thus it survives poorly on needles.  This results in a low risk of HIV transmission from a needlestick injury in the vast majority of cases.  ​The risk of HIV being acquired from a spiking incident is very low and so we do not routinely recommend preventative treatment.  We recommend testing for HIV soon after the incident and repeating the test at 12 weeks.   

Hepatitis B is uncommon, however it can be more easily passed from one person to another following a needlestick injury.  If you have been previously vaccinated, you may require a booster vaccine. If you are unvaccinated, your care provider will discuss vaccination with you.  Hepatitis B vaccination can reduce the risk of becoming infected with Hepatitis B even if received after the needlestick injury.  We recommend testing for hepatitis B soon after the incident and repeating the test at 3 and 6 months.  

Hepatitis C isthe virusmost easilytransmitted via needlestick injuries.  ​Unfortunately there is no vaccine currently available to prevent infection with Hepatitis C but effective treatments are now available for anyone who becomes infected with this virus.  We recommend testing soon after the incident and at 3 and 6 months afterwards.   

Please contact 111 or A&E if you have been spiked and feel medically unwell.  

Please contact the police on 101 to report the incident. 

COVID-19 update

All healthcare services have changed to minimise the spread of Coronavirus. We have adapted our service to limit the number of patients visiting New Croft Centre to avoid transmission between patients in our waiting areas.

Many sexual health problems can be managed over the telephone and we are using telephone consultations as much as possible. However if you need to attend for a procedure or examination this can be arranged.

Our reception team will take a note of your problem. You will then be called back by one of our doctors or nurses to discuss the issue and decide how best to help.

To access our telephone-led services you must call us:

Telephone: 0191 229 2999

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm

Walk in service suspended

There is no longer a walk in service. Access to the building is only for people who have contacted us by phone or via the website DIY kit requesting service except on a Wednesday afternoon for the under 18s.

You must also wear a face covering (we can provide one if you forget to bring one).

Please do not attend our service if you have been told to self-isolate or you have symptoms of coronavirus. These include fever, headaches and / or a new persistent cough.

If you attend our services for a long term health condition then this will continue. However, many of our consultations will be over the telephone. These are the sorts of problems we can manage:

• Asymptomatic screening for STIs by providing a DIY kit
• Symptoms of an STI (sexually transmitted infection) such as discharge from the penis, ulcers and sores.
• HIV prevention (post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure to HIV known as PEPSE), HIV testing and HIV treatment
• HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
• If you have been in contact of an infection such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea
• Emergency contraception including emergency pills (previously known as morning after pill) and copper IUD (coil)
• Contraception including long acting reversible contraception such as copper and hormonal IUCs (coil), contraceptive implants
• Progestogen only pills (eg. Desogestrel) and where possible combined pills/patches/rings (eg. Rigevidon)
• Depo-Provera or Sayana Press injections
• Cervical screening tests

There are still some aspects of our service that haven’t restarted such as vaccinations. We will let you know as soon as we restore this part of our service.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Do it yourself at home sexual health testing kits (DIY kit)

You are now able to request a do it yourself at home sexual health testing kit (DIY kit) from New Croft Centre either by:

Telephone: 0191 229 2999 between 8:30am and 4:00pm

Online: DIY sexual health testing kit

These DIY kits are only suitable if you do not have any symptoms of an STI.

If you are symptomatic or have been told you have been in contact with someone with an STI, you should telephone 0191 229 2999 for advice.

Find out how to order a DIY kit in our DIY sexual health testing kit section

Young people’s UNDER 18 sexual health clinic @ New Croft

During the COVID-19 pandemic we are still able to provide our free, friendly and confidential sexual health information and support walk in service in partnership with Streetwise Young People’s Project

This is for young people aged 17 years and under and is available:

Every Wednesday afternoon between 3.30 and 5:30pm (times updated 5 May 2021)

Find our more in our Young Person’s Clinic section

Contraception advice during COVID-19

It may be difficult to see a doctor or nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have lots of advice on how to manage contraception during this time in our Contraception advice during COVID-19 section

For further information on contraception, abortion and sexual and reproductive health visit:

COVID-19 NHS advice

Please follow the UK government’s advice regarding using healthcare services during COVID-19

Need information on how to look after your sexual health during lockdown?

A new page on the city council website ‘Sexual Health in Lockdown‘ brings together all the places in Newcastle that you can contact for sexual health advice and support, including access to free condoms and other services.

There is also a new Facebook page, called ‘Sexually Healthy Newcastle’ sharing information about these services as well as other ways you can look after your sexual health and relationships:

Time Sensitive Sexual Health Care

It’s important to take action as soon as possible if you think you require any of these services. Click below for more information and contact details for each service.

Contact us

New Croft House

Telephone: 0191 229 2999