Sexual Health Service Continuation and Upcoming Changes

Overview

The East Berkshire sexual health service has successfully secured a new tender, ensuring the continuation of its operations throughout the East Berkshire area. This achievement means that residents will continue to benefit from comprehensive sexual health support, maintaining the high standard of care and accessibility that the community has come to expect.

Service Changes from July 2026

From July 2026, the East Berkshire Integrated Sexual Health Service will introduce several enhancements in line with the new service specification. One of the main changes will be the broadening of digital access for those seeking care for asymptomatic or lower-complexity sexual health concerns. This digital approach is intended to make services more accessible and convenient for users, allowing them to receive support without the need for in-person appointments where appropriate.

Despite this increased focus on digital provision, the service will continue to offer face-to-face appointments for individuals requiring specialist attention or complex care. This ensures that all clinically indicated needs are addressed in person, preserving the quality and responsiveness of care for those with more complex requirements.

Walk-In Clinic Provision

In its ongoing commitment to improving accessibility, the service will be expanding walk-in clinic opportunities in Slough clinic. Walk-in clinics are now available every Friday, providing additional flexibility for those who need care without a scheduled appointment. Furthermore, beginning 1 June, walk-in capacity will be increased on Mondays, further enhancing the ability of service users to access support at their convenience.

You can download posters with the information on our walk-in clinics here: 

Outreach Service Expansion

The outreach service will also see significant growth, with comprehensive outreach delivery planned across the entire East Berkshire region. This expansion is aimed at ensuring that all residents, regardless of their location within East Berkshire, have full access to outreach support and the essential services provided.

Training

We are a training centre for GUM/SRH competencies (STIF/ COSRH, LOC). As a service, we will be offering regular sexual health updates to primary care. Updates on SRH, GUM, and HIV will be delivered through virtual and accessible sessions, and details around these sessions will be available on our website. Additionally, we will also be supporting primary care colleagues with free STIF and COSRH training upon request.

Referral Pathways and Clinic Contact Details:

There will be no alterations to referral pathways or clinic contact details. Service users and professionals making referrals can continue to access support and information via the established processes. This stability ensures continuity and reliability for all those seeking assistance from the service.