Sexual health is about looking after yourself and others. This means enjoying the sexual activity you want, safely, without causing you or anyone else any suffering, either physical or mental. It is not just about using contraception or avoiding infections.

Young Peoples Sexual Health Clinics

We won't tell anyone what you tell us (unless you ask us to). We don't tell parents (even if you are under 16), or your GP

Your right to receive confidential advice

You can talk to doctors, nurses and other health workers. They have a duty NOT to give out information about you without your consent, except in exceptional circumstances. This applies whatever your age. If you are under 16, doctors and other workers still have to keep what is said private. Sometimes, a health worker may decide that a patient is not mature enough to make decisions about their treatment, but the consultation must still be confidential.

In exceptional circumstances a health worker might decide they needed to disclose information about a patient to someone else. For example, a doctor might suspect their patient was being seriously hurt in some way. Even so, they would not normally pass on any information without first discussing it with their patient.

If your confidentiality is breached (which means the doctor or other health worker tells someone else without your permission), the worker may have to justify their decision to their professional body. This means your GP won't tell your parents everything you tell them, even if your GP knows your parents. Your school nurse must also keep information confidential, so she won't tell teachersor the head teacher anything about you.

What happens at young peoples clinics?

When you come in you speak to the receptionist. She asks your name and makes a set of notes (so the doctors and nurses can make notes -their memories aren't big enough to remember everything about everyone). The notes stay locked in the clinic cupboard. No-one else can get to them because we keep the key. The nurse or doctor will call you for a chat. They'll ask why you came, try to sort any problems, and answer any questions. The doctors are all female. More good news:

• You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to.
• You don't need an examination to get contraception.
• You can ask about anything , even if it seems stupid

Young peoples clinics are family planning clinics for people under 20. Family Planning Clinics provide contraception (all methods), emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, pre-pregnancy advice, termination of pregnancy counselling, cervical smears, advice about sexual matters. Condoms can protect you against sexually transmitted infections ( including HIV ) and pregnancy. Condoms are FREE at all our clinics

For appointments, advice and information, the department can be contacted 9am-5pm Monday to Friday by ringing 01294 323228/6. Clinics can be contacted directly during the time they are running.

Emergency contraception - what you need to know

If you have had sex without using contraception, or if your contraception failed, you or your partner can use emergency contraception. If you act quickly, emergency contraception will usually prevent pregnancy. Pills need to be taken within 72 hours. This scheme is available free to all young women over the age of 14.
IUCD's (Coils) can also be used for emergency contraception. They can be used up to five days after unprotected sex (and sometimes even longer). Contact a Family Planning Clinic (01294 323228) or your GP for advice.

Women can get emergency contraception pills free from:
- your GP
- any family planning clinic
- any young person's clinic
- most sexual health clinics
- Ayr hospital accident and emergency department
- most pharmacies
- out of hours the emergency doctor service (ADOC) phone first by dialling NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

All the advice and treatment you receive is confidential - wherever you receive it

Information for Pregnant Teenagers

Are you a teenager and think you might be pregnant? Or has it recently been confirmed that you are pregnant? If you have had sex and missed a period it is important that you find out whether or not you are pregnant as soon as possible.

You may feel confused, upset, shocked or dismayed. However you may feel you will need to consider the options open to you. Although you might find it hard to face, the sooner that you clarify the situation, the more choices will be available to you.

It is important that you share your problems with someone else, perhaps a close friend or relative. It may be, at first, that you feel you can't talk to your parents about it. If so, there are a number of people who can help and advise you. You may wish to discuss things with the Young People's Sexual Health Clinic, with your GP or with a counsellor.

test is positive, but you didn't want to be pregnant

You may feel confused, upset, shocked or dismayed. However you may feel you will need to consider the options open to you. How much time you have depends on how far on in the pregnancy you are already.

These are your options:
1. continue with the pregnancy and keep the baby
2. continue with the pregnancy and have the baby adopted or temporarily fostered
3. having the pregnancy terminated (have an abortion)

There are a number of people who can help and advise you. You may wish to discuss things with the clinic nurse or doctor, with your GP or with a counsellor, the staff at the Day Ward at Ayrshire Maternity Unit, Crosshouse or the dedicated counselling service at Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine.

It may also be helpf ul to discuss the options with your partner, a friend or your family before making your decision.

In the end only you can decide what is the best thing for you to do.
Many people have faced the same choice and most feel they made the right decision in difficult circumstances.

The nurses and doctors at your GP practice or sexual health clinic can talk over the options with you, at the time the test is done and at a later appointment. If you decide to continue your pregnancy, you can be referred to the antenatal clinic. There are 'pro-life' charities that can offer emotional and practical support to women who request it.