Your experience of GU clinics?

4 Oct 2007

Quote by JTS
For those chosing the open route to sexual health...ie: name, address and all-the-rest. You may consider that your record of health care and treatment will soon be available at a centralised database. Your gp will have immediate access to your records, but so will a fairly large number of other people, many not involved in your health care in any way at all.

In fact the list of organisation who will have access to your records also includes the social services....and every tom, dick and harriet in most laboratories in the nhs.

To say nothing of the fact that your various samples can be easily put on a DNA database. Thereby making you instantly recognisable whatever you say about yourself.

4 Oct 2007

Quote by JTS
In fact the list of organisation who will have access to your records also includes the social services....and every tom, dick and harriet in most laboratories in the nhs.

Yep. My daughter works for the NHS and I know she's had a good nosy at my medical records. For no other reason than that she could. I wasn't impressed; it was far too easy for her. confused

4 Oct 2007

the data protection act is something that any of these agencies adhere to. If you know that someone has looked at your records without permission from you(this doesn't just apply to your medical records either)
Write a letter to the relevent organisation. It will get them the sack, no messing.
splendid

4 Oct 2007

Quote by splendid_
the data protection act is something that any of these agencies adhere to. If you know that someone has looked at your records without permission from you(this doesn't just apply to your medical records either)
Write a letter to the relevent organisation. It will get them the sack, no messing.

I doubt it. For a start, any health professional involved in your care has a right to look at information that may help. For another, social services staff responsible for childcare have a right to look at your records. So do local government taxation staff. In fact, the list is quite large. Some 250,000 and counting. For another, in spite of the FACT that legal professionals have stated that 95% of the CCTV in this country is not only installed in contravention of law, it is also operated in contravention of law, the information commissioners office has remained silent. It would be fair to state that the data protection act is unenforceable as far as government misuse is concerned. Oh, and just to further confuse things, even though you have a right to NOT have your information stored on the system the government has already stated it WILL be, no matter what you want.
Have a read, read the links as well:

4 Oct 2007

This is quite an interesting subject. Especially in view of a posting I read about a month ago, concerning the number of action shots involving multiple partners where no protect was being used.
Personally I believe that everyone should have regular tests (say one a year) if they are sexually active. I'm also including non-swinging couples to. It's no good assuming that your partner hasn't cheated (it does happen).
As for the earlier points on "time-wasting". I'm not quite sure where this is coming from. Firstly a fair amount of STI's are asymptomatic so the only way of combating them is to have regular check-ups. Second my GU Clinic requires appointments, so all I'm doing is taking up an appointment.
Staff have always been fantastic, and free flavoured condom's wink

6 Oct 2007

My experience of using a GU clinic was very positive; I found them respectful and helpful. They even asked if I wanted to use my own name or a pseudonym. No problem. Yes I squirmed a little at the questions redface

but they all seemed relevant to the tests I was asking for.
I chose not to go to my GP because similar to another post on here I didn't want any results or my request for tests on my medial records. Even a request will affect things like life-insurance. And no I’m not ashamed of my lifestyle but I’m not going to look for trouble either.
As a health care professional yes I can access medical notes but unless I can demonstrate why I have accessed these notes I can be disciplined and sacked. That goes for even my own records. But agree you have to be caught looking...
Also we are expected to treat everyone with respect and dignity regardless. It is unprofessional to do otherwise in my view.
My final thoughts
If we accept that it is ‘okay’ to look down on swingers, what about those who smoke, drink or are obese all choices we make in our lifestyle – healthcare workers should focus on prevention and treatment and leave irrelevant judgments at the door.
Hmm enough said – great topic
biggrin

7 Oct 2007

Quote by Aibell
My experience of using a GU clinic was very positive; I found them respectful and helpful. They even asked if I wanted to use my own name or a pseudonym. No problem. Yes I squirmed a little at the questions but they all seemed relevant to the tests I was asking for.
I chose not to go to my GP because similar to another post on here I didn't want any results or my request for tests on my medial records. Even a request will affect things like life-insurance. And no I’m not ashamed of my lifestyle but I’m not going to look for trouble either.
As a health care professional yes I can access medical notes but unless I can demonstrate why I have accessed these notes I can be disciplined and sacked. That goes for even my own records. But agree you have to be caught looking...
Also we are expected to treat everyone with respect and dignity regardless. It is unprofessional to do otherwise in my view.
My final thoughts
If we accept that it is ‘okay’ to look down on swingers, what about those who smoke, drink or are obese all choices we make in our lifestyle – healthcare workers should focus on prevention and treatment and leave irrelevant judgments at the door.
Hmm enough said – great topic

xx

Excellent post aibell, well said. :thumbup:

7 Oct 2007

The dude at my clinic knows me quite well & even though I've moved from the area I still go there just coz I feel comfortable!
These guys have far too much going on in their day to day proceedings to make decisions on anyones life style
yes you may see the odd eyebrow raise but if yourgonna make the assumptionthat they are looking down on you then step off your high horse!
Coz that's what your thinking they might be doing about you!
Lets not forget this is one service that the government provides for free!
For me with an open minded lifestyle to quote pink, It's the most preventive, safe & most responsible action that I can take!
Ive been to two other clinics accompanied by different partners for followups after a scare
Both times we were treated with the utmost respect.
Everyones human nature will have inbuilt preconceptions.
I find being polite with anyone & they will gladly treat you the same!

7 Oct 2007

The service is free ?
I pay over per week for a variety of "free" services.
It may well be free at the counter....................