Sexual Health
The NHS has a range of free, confidential sexual health services.
These services cover contraception, testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), and advice on unplanned pregnancies. You can use any of these services even if you are under 16 years old.
If you are aged 13 or older, you have the same rights to confidentiality as adults. So you can use any of these services without your parents, guardians or anyone else being told.
The only time a clinician may need to tell someone else is if they feel that you are at risk of abuse. That would only happen if the risk is serious, and it usually would be discussed with you before anyone else got involved.
Services in County Durham
The Stanley Primary Care Centre provides free and confidential sexual health services.
To find out more about the services they offer, you can visit or contact them by phone 0191 372 8700.
For general information on STIs and pregnancy testing, accessing contraception and other advice, visit the Sexual Health area of the NHS website.
You can also speak in confidence to a member of your GP practice team with problems, concerns or questions.