The Health Shop
The Health Shop provides sexual health services for people who:
- Face barriers accessing mainstream services
- Are experiencing health inequalities
- Are disproportionally affected
- Or need greater flexibility than traditional services can offer.
The service works with anyone aged 13 years and over. There is no upper age limit.
Sexual health products (condoms, lube, dental dams and gloves) can be collected from the service on Broad Street or via outreach locations including LGBTQI+ venues.
Sexual health testing
The team provides testing for sexually transmitted infections for people who do not have symptoms.
These are non-invasive (most are taken by the person themselves) and screen for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B & C.
There is also a full range of site-specific tests including rectal, throat, vagina and urine samples available.
The Health Shop service leads on blood borne virus testing/treatment for Nottingham Recovery Network, specialising in Hepatitis B, C and HIV. The team has excellent links with Nottingham University hospital staff and provides support to anyone needing follow-on treatment. They are advanced venepuncturists, and offer testing in a variety of ways including finger prick (dried blood spot), self-venepuncture and venous samples.
Sexual health treatment
The nursing team at The Health Shop provide treatment for chlamydia, long-acting reversible contraception, emergency hormonal contraception and vaccinations for Hepatitis B (criteria applies).
The service also offers pregnancy testing and onward referrals/support as needed.
In addition to the above, the team provides advice and information on a range of sexual health topics, delivers specialist outreach support, and works in partnership with healthcare professionals to ensure the needs of each individual are met.
The Health Shop is a C Card registration and pick up site.
Harm reduction
The Health Shop provides harm reduction information on a wide range of substances. This includes a specialist pick-and-mix needle exchange with safer injecting advice, foil, site checks, support accessing treatment (if you are ready for this), and referrals to other services.
The harm reduction service works with people who are 18 and above but can also help those under 18 to find and access support (working with partner agencies).
The Health Bus
The Health Shop has a clinically-fitted vehicle, which they use for outreach work. The team attends a variety of locations across the city to speak to people who may struggle to attend services directly or can benefit from being seen in the community.
The team also attends other venues such as hostels, and provides clinically-based services from different locations.
