Tuesday 18-01-2022 - 10:38

 

STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing is too often considered a taboo subject.
 

It’s sometimes uncomfortable to talk about sex, but the truth is sex is a common and natural part of life. We know it’s important to be careful and use condoms and take measures to minimise the risks of contracting STIs, but what happens if you think you’ve contracted something?

 

 

 

Some people think it’s embarrassing to get tested, but we need to change the way we look at it. If you’re sick or concerned about your physical health, you go to the doctors or a GP to get checked. It’s the same way for your sexual health.

 

 

 

If you're concerned about your sexual wellbeing, or you've had sex with a new partner, you should get tested.

 

 

As your elected Student Engagement Officer, I am committed to making sure the students of Edge Hill are heard and their concerns are acted upon. One student recently posted on Your Ideas – a portal for you to submit your suggestions for improving Edge Hill – suggesting accessible campus-wide STI testing kits. I couldn’t agree more.

While we look into it, below you’ll find some helpful links explaining where you can get tested in Ormskirk.

 

Where can I get tested in Lancashire?

 

Hants Lane Health Centre, Hants Ln, Ormskirk L39 1PX
 

Hants Lane Health Centre is an all ages service. Their team of doctors and nurses provide all age sexual health services across Lancashire. They deal with a variety of sexual health related conditions and provide testing and treatment of STIs, including HIV, in line with national guidelines. If you need further details like an address just click the link.

 

You can book an appointment by calling them on 0300 1234 154.

 

You can also request a free at home Chlamydia testing kit, available to everybody aged 16-24 living in Lancashire – especially useful if you’re self-isolating with COVID.

 

Other services they provide are:

 

• Emergency contraception
• Contraception
• Progesteroneonly Pill (POP)
• Postal condoms
• HIV testing
• Chlamydia testing
• Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Psychosexual Therapy

If you have a current contraception prescription with them, you can order your repeat prescription on their website -- very helpful for those times when our lives take over and it can be difficult to get another prescription.

 

You can use the clinic finder to find a testing service near where you live. If you don’t live in Lancashire, you can use the NHS’ sexual health service finder on gov.uk to find a clinic near you.

 

 

Lastly, I’m your Student Engagement Officer and I’m here to represent all of the students at Edge Hill. To make change, I need to hear from you. I strongly encourage you to use your voice and make use of our Your Ideas portal on the Students’ Union website to continue the push to make STI testing available here on campus, so we can make sure every single Edge Hill student can look after their sexual wellbeing, reduce the stress of booking appointments, and have sex safely.

 

A special thank you to our NHS for providing these important services.

 

 

Links included in this article linked below:

 

https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/thestudentvoice

https://www.nhs.uk/services/service-directory/hants-lane-health-centre/N10506085

https://lancashiresexualhealth.nhs.uk/

https://lancashiresexualhealth.nhs.uk/prep/