Media Release
Date: 20 April 2016
RUH invites feedback on plans to relocate its Sexual Health Clinic
The Royal United Hospital is inviting feedback on plans to move its Sexual Health Clinic, including clinicians and support staff, from Combe Park to the Riverside Health Centre in Bath.
The Trust is getting ready to move the service later in the year, to share the Riverside premises with other healthcare providers including Sirona's Contraception and Sexual Health Service (CaSH). The RUH's Sexual Health Clinic provides around 6000 walk in and pre booked appointments a year, offering free, friendly, non-judgmental and confidential testing, treatment and advice relating to sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
Dr Arnold Fernandes, Consultant at the RUH's Sexual Health Clinic says, "Moving to the Riverside Health Centre offers opportunities for our patients and staff. Co-locating with the CaSH service makes a lot of sense, as we complement each other and this should make it simpler and more convenient for patients using both services. The city centre location should also improve access to our service. There may also be opportunities for joint teaching and training for RUH and Sirona staff in the future."
Dr Kate Horn, Consultant at the Sexual Health Clinic explains, 'We're planning to move the Sexual Health Clinic but patients who use these services can be reassured they will continue to be seen and treated by the same team, to the same high standard, in a confidential setting. Only the location will change."
Relocating the service to the Riverside Health Centre forms part of the Trust's overall Estates Redevelopment plan, as the RUH works to transform its Combe Park site and further improve services and patient experience. The space vacated by the Sexual Health Clinic will be incorporated into a new purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre, scheduled to open in 2018. This facility will bring together some of the services currently based at the RUH and Mineral Water Hospital sites.
The Trust is seeking views on the proposed move from patients, staff, healthcare partners and all interested parties. This feedback will be used to help in our planning to ensure that we continue to provide the best service for current and future users of the Sexual Health Clinic.
A survey is available online or comments are welcomed via email ruh-tr.haveyoursay@nhs.net, or in writing.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
- The engagement period will run until 27th June 2016