Sexual Health

Confidentiality

Genito-Urinary Medicine (G.U.M.) Clinics are bound by law to ensure the confidentiality of your records so it is OK to use your real name and address. If you are going to have an HIV test you may decide to give a false name and this is not against the law but, for obvious reasons, if you decide to use a false name, it is essential that you remember it on each visit to the clinic. It is not necessary to use a false name because the way that the G.U.M. Clinic maintains confidentiality of your records is by issuing you with an identification number. This is used instead of your name and address.

The identification number is used in conjunction with your date of birth so it is advisable to make a note of this number for future visits to the clinic as it will speed up your registration. G.U.M. Clinic records are kept separate from hospital records and are locked when the clinic is closed. Additionally, the computer system used by the Clinic cannot be accessed by any other hospital department so your visit and any other details will not appear on your G.P. medical notes or any other hospital records.