London’s first 7-day sexual health clinic opens in Burrell Street

The centre opened just before Christmas and replaces the Lydia clinic at St Thomas' Hospital. It's the result of a three-year project by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust to find a new location for the service away from the hospital campus.

The clinic – yards from the junction of Blackfriars Road and Southwark Street- is almost equidistant from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital.

Burrell Street is believed to be the largest sexual health centre in Europe and the only one in London to offer a seven-day service.

Services include treatment for all sexually transmitted infections, HIV testing, contraception and pregnancy advice.

The new facilities serve Lambeth and Southwark – two boroughs with very high rates of sexually transmitted infections.

For instance, the two boroughs account for almost 25 per cent of all HIV cases in England.

The centre provides testing, diagnosis, treatment and advice. Patients can deliver their own samples to the on-site lab where tests are processed.

Facilities include a partner notification bureau where patients receive assistance breaking the news of an infection to their partners.

The centre has an emphasis on prevention rather than treatment, with counselling and therapy rooms as part of the mix.

The interiors of the clinic have been designed by Urban Salon to be as unlike a conventional hospital as possible.

A mobile created by Parisian artist Arnold Goron hangs above the waiting room, and each consulting room has a different artwork on the ceiling for patients to study whilst they lie on the couch.

One of the arches features a 110-seat auditorium for training and education activities which will eventually be available for hire for community events.

• Walk-in clinics are held daily. On weekdays, appointments can also be booked by text message.

• www.burrellstreet.co.uk