Private clinic offers advice on sexual health

Going to the GP to discuss your sexual health can be an embarrassing experience.

But a private clinic in Bath has launched a new service aimed at over- coming any nerves.

Kelston-based Assura Minerva has launched a private sexual health clinic at The Bath Clinic at Claverton which offers consultation, advice, counselling, screening and treatment by specialist doctors.

To access the service, patients do not need a referral from a GP and can be seen and treated on the same day where appropriate.

Male and female doctors are available to treat conditions including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and non-gonococcal urethritis.

The clinic also offers HIV testing and advice on contraception.

Business director Amanda Simpson said: "We recognise that some patients prefer the additional benefits of using private services – faster results, and highly confidential and personalised care."

Assura Minerva is a partnership between all the 27 family doctors' practices across Bath and North East Somerset and firm Assura. It will be working with the Bath and North East Somerset Primary Care Trust.

Assura Minerva already provides other services for the NHS, private minor surgery and NHS deep vein thrombosis.

For more details or to book an appointment call 0845 058 4770 or visit www.assuraminervallp.co.uk.