Hospital Services and Departments
Welcome to the Genitourinary Medicine Department
The department of Genitourinary Medicine provides a friendly, confidential and non-judgmental service for all our patients. It offers testing and management for all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The department also specializes in the diagnosis and management of other genital conditions in patients for all ages.
Services Provided
Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Routine blood test for HIV and syphilis
Diagnosis and treatment of STIs in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients
Hepatitis B testing and vaccination for patients at risk
Management of complicated infections
HIV screening, diagnosis and treatment
Treatment of other genital conditions
Contact tracing
Information and advice on sexual health
Emergency contraception
Main Contact Numbers
Main Reception: 01284 712603, 01284 713243
Fax: 01284 713025
Where are we?
Clinic D (main entrance), on the ground floor, West Suffolk Hospital.
Members of the team
Dr Sarah Edwards, Consultant
Dr Margaret Barnet-Lamb, Staff Grade
Dr Alexis Kent, Clinical Assistant
Mrs. Amanda Chandler-Smith, Department Manager/Senior Sister
Mrs. Liz Hirji, Health advisor/Junior Sister
Mrs. Claire Hardern, Health Advisor
Miss. Christine Leathers, Senior Staff Nurse
Mr. Steven Macfarlane, Senior Staff Nurse
Mrs. Samantha Crouch, Senior Staff Nurse
Mrs. Mary Mayo, Senior Admin Assistant
Mrs. Jill Rowland, Receptionist
Mrs. Anita Bruce, Receptionist
Appointments
Appointments can be booked through the main contact telephone number.
This is a self-referral service, which means that a GP referral is not necessary.
Clinics
|
Clinic |
Where |
When |
|
GU Clinic |
GU Department |
Monday AM and PM Tuesday AM Wednesday AM and PM Thursday AM and PM Friday AM |
|
Same Day HIV Testing |
GU Department |
Monday 09.00-11.00 |
|
Vulval Clinic |
GU Department |
First Friday of the month |
Patient Information
Further information can be found at:
www.ypsh.net/sexualhealth/welcome.htm
www.cks.library.nhs.uk/patientinformation
Patient leaflets for Genitourinary Medicine can be found in the PALS section.
Support Groups
Ipswich project male & female adults & children infected and affected with HIV. Monthly meetings alternate between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds:
Tel: 01473 692616 for further information.
Additional information
When a patient attends the clinic, they are asked to complete a registration form with their personal details e.g. name, address. This is so the clinic can contact the patient after their appointment if they need to with any specific results or information.
The patient is allocated a personal reference number to be used on any future visits to the clinic and when telephoning for results.
During the clinic visit, a Doctor or Nurse asks the patient about their sexual health and medical history. They then offer an examination and tests to check for infections, with a chaperone if the patient prefers.
Routine blood tests are offered to test for HIV and syphilis.
Some initial results from tests may be available on the day of your appointment, but the complete results will take up to ten days to return. To obtain test results, patients are asked to book an appointment at reception to arrange a date and time to telephone the department.
The clinic offers a confidential service to all patients, including those under the age of sixteen. The notes taken in the clinic are only used there and no other department in the hospital has access to them.
As all information, including test results, is confidential, it is not passed on to the patient’s past or present partners. However, if the patient’s GP has referred them to the clinic with a referral letter, then the clinic does inform them in writing of the appointment outcome.
If the clinic feels that patient may be at risk of harm to themselves or others, then they may find it necessary to discuss their attendance with other care providers. If this occurred, the clinic would do their best to confer with the patient first as patient safety and well being is the clinic’s priority.