Looking after your sexual health is part of taking care of your body and mind. Across Staffordshire you can get free, confidential advice on contraception, testing and treatment, relationships, and where to find support. Sexual Health: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
This page covers:
- Planning for and using contraception
- Understanding changes to your body
- Avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Where to go for help and advice in Staffordshire
If it’s urgent
- Sexual assault or immediate danger: call 999.
- Need urgent help now: call NHS 111.
- Emergency contraception and PEP (post‑exposure prophylaxis after possible HIV exposure) are available via local sexual health clinics; get help as soon as possible.
- Many pharmacies supply the emergency contraceptive pill and some can supply the regular contraceptive pill through the NHS without needing a GP prescription. Use the NHS service finder to check participating pharmacies.
Where can I get advice or help?
Sexual health clinics (OpenClinic)
Sexual Health Clinics across Staffordshire are delivered by OpenClinic (Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust). Services are free and confidential and include:
- Emergency and long‑term contraception
- STI testing and treatment
- HIV testing, treatment, prevention and support (including PrEP and PEP)
- Counselling, advice and information
How to access:
- Book online or call 0808 178 0955. Clinic locations and opening times are listed on the OpenClinic site (e.g. Stafford Central Clinic at the Civic Centre).
- All services are provided by trained NHS staff and are confidential.
Find a clinic and book: OpenClinic website (clinic finder and online booking).
Online services
Prefer to start from home? You can:
- Book appointments and find clinical advice via OpenClinic.
- Order a home STI test kit (ages 16+ in Staffordshire) through the NHS partner service listed by MPFT.
- Register for free condoms (C‑Card) and, if eligible, order repeat packs online; the scheme is available from age 13 in Staffordshire and is confidential.
Pharmacies
Many community pharmacies in Staffordshire offer sexual health services, including:
- Emergency contraception
- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing
- Chlamydia treatment
- Pregnancy testing (by referral)
- Free condoms via the C‑Card scheme
These services are coordinated locally through Central Health Solutions; use their website to find a participating pharmacy and see what’s offered.
The contraceptive pill at pharmacies (NHS service):
Participating pharmacies can now provide the contraceptive pill (ongoing supply and, in many areas, initiation), following a confidential consultation—no GP prescription needed. Check the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service for details and to find participating pharmacies.
Your GP
Your GP practice can provide advice on contraception and sexual health, and some methods (for example, certain injections or devices). Contact your surgery to see what’s available.
Young people
- Confidentiality: Sexual health care is confidential, including if you’re under 16, unless a clinician believes you or someone else is at risk of harm.
- Free condoms (C‑Card): Available from age 13+ through clinics, pharmacies and other venues; quick to register and accepted across Staffordshire.
Keep yourself well
- Use condoms to reduce the risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancy; the C‑Card scheme makes them easy to access for free.
- If you’re sexually active with new or multiple partners, consider regular STI testing—you can book at a clinic or order a home kit (ages 16+).
- If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV very recently, seek help urgently to ask about PEP; the sooner it’s started, the more effective it can be.