Knowing your sexual health status is a normal, responsible part of looking after yourself. Yet many people put it off — because of embarrassment, long NHS wait times, or simply not knowing what to expect. Private STI screening removes most of those barriers. Here's how it works.
What does private STI screening include?
At Northwest Health, our sexual health screening starts from £160. Depending on the panel you choose, testing can cover:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea — the most commonly diagnosed STIs in the UK
- Syphilis
- HIV (with results typically available within days)
- Hepatitis B and C
- Herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
- Trichomonas
- Mycoplasma genitalium
We can discuss which panel makes sense based on your history and circumstances — there's no single "right" screen for everyone.
Is it really confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is central to sexual health care. Your results are shared only with you. We will not contact your NHS GP without your explicit consent. If you'd like your GP to be informed — for example, so your records are up to date — that's your choice to make.
We're CQC registered, which means we operate under the same professional and regulatory standards as any NHS provider. Your information is handled with the same duty of confidentiality you'd expect anywhere in the NHS.
Do I need symptoms to get tested?
No. Most STIs produce no symptoms at all — or symptoms so mild they're easily missed or attributed to something else. Chlamydia, in particular, is asymptomatic in the majority of people who have it. Regular testing is recommended for anyone who is sexually active and changes partners, regardless of whether anything feels different.
If you do have symptoms — unusual discharge, discomfort, sores or rashes — do get seen promptly. Book a GP appointment alongside or instead of a self-referred screen.
How quickly will I get results?
Most results are available within a few working days. If anything comes back positive, a clinician will contact you to discuss what the result means and what to do next. Treatment where it's needed is something your GP can arrange — the conversation you have with us is about your result and your options, not a prescription pad.
No referral, no judgment
You don't need a GP referral to book private STI screening with us. You can call, email or book online — whatever feels most comfortable. Our clinical team are experienced in sexual health and approach every appointment with straightforwardness and complete discretion.
Whether this is routine annual testing, a check after a new relationship, or a response to a potential exposure, there's nothing unusual about wanting to know where you stand.
See our sexual health screening options →
Speak to our team
Book a consultation and we'll build a plan around you. Most enquiries answered the same day.