Sexual health services may be limited over Christmas and the New Year. Here are some places you can go for help and advice if you need it.
If you need emergency contraception, try and get it as soon as possible. See below for more information on where you can go.
Helplines
The following helplines can give you advice and support and can help signpost you to an appropriate service if you’re not sure where to go.
National Sexual Health Helpline - 0300 123 7123
Free confidential information and advice on sexual health.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, closed on Christmas Day
NHS 111 (England)
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
NHS Direct (Wales), 0845 4647 or 111 if available in your area
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls from landlines and mobiles cost 2p per minute. This will be in addition to the telephone provider's access charge. Calls to 111 are free.
NHS 24 (Scotland), 111
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
FPA helpline (Northern Ireland) - 0345 122 8687
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed from 5pm Thursday 21 December 2017 until 9am Tuesday 2 January 2018.
Clinics
Contraception and sexual health clinics
Use FPA’s Find a Clinic tool to find one near you. Most clinics will have reduced opening times over the holidays so call to check opening hours first or check the website for your local service.
Emergency contraception
If you can't get to a clinic to get emergency contraception, here are some other places to go.
NHS walk-in centres (England only)
These are usually open 365 days a year, but check opening times before setting out. If you don't have a local walk-in centre, you might have a minor injuries unit or urgent care centre who should be able to give you emergency contraceptive pills.
GP surgeries
Your GP can provide emergency contraception and may be able to advise on other sexual health issues. However, many surgeries are likely to be closed or have reduced hours over the festive period.
Pharmacies
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill from most pharmacies. Many are open over Christmas, and some are open late. You may have to pay for the emergency contraceptive pill, which usually costs around £25-£35, but some pharmacies have schemes where they provide it free of charge so it’s worth asking about this.
Some pharmacies also offer free chlamydia testing and may be able to provide free condoms as part of a local scheme.
General sexual health information
Sexwise
If you’ve been diagnosed with an STI or prescribed contraception and simply want more information, we’re here for you.
You can also check Where to get help for links to other organisations.
Ask Brook (for under-25s)
You can use the Ask Brook 24/7 tool any time over the holidays to search for answers to your sexual health questions.
