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Brook Blackburn with Darwen
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If you’re at risk of HIV or find it difficult to use condoms every time, you can use PrEP (HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis). PrEP is a pill you can take before sex that offers near complete protection from HIV.
More about PrEP
You can get PrEP from Brook Blackburn. Contact the service by phoning 01254 268700
If you’ve had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive within the last 72 hours, it is possible to take anti-HIV medication called PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) which may stop you becoming infected. The sooner it’s taken, the more effective it is.
More about PEP
You can get PEP from Brook Blackburn. To get PEP, please phone the clinic as soon as possible on 01254 268700.
You can also get PEP from Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital Accident and Emergency Department (A&E).
A pill taken after sex to prevent syphilis. It contains the antibiotic called Doxycyline. It reduces the chances of getting syphilis by around 80%. After sex without a condom, doxyPEP should be taken within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours.
DoxyPEP is available for gay, bisexual, men who have sex with men or trans women that are at a higher risk of getting syphilis for example if they:
You might be offered DoxyPEP at your routine PrEP appointment. You can also contact the clinic to find out if you’re eligible by phoning 01254 268700
Using condoms is key to preventing STIs. For high-risk individuals, there are vaccines available at the clinic that help to prevent STIs.
These vaccines are available for gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men that are at a higher risk because they:
These vaccines may also be available to you if you don’t fit the above criteria but are high-risk. Clinicians will assess whether you are eligible at an appointment.
Please note: We are unable to provide vaccines for travel purposes – please see your GP.
The Meningocococcal B (MenB) vaccine, also called Bexsero, is available for eligible individuals. It gives a 30-40% protection against gonorrhoea. It requires two injections at least four weeks apart.
Mpox (previously known as monkeypox), can be transmitted through sexual contact. The Mpox vaccine provides good protection against the mpox virus. It’s usually given as two injections at least 28 days apart.
Two injections given 6-12 months apart to protect against Hepatitis A.
Three injections to protect against Hepatitis B. Usually, the second injection is given one month after the first, and the final injection is given 6 months after the first.
Injections taken to protect against the Human papillomavirus (HPV). Usually two injections are given but in some cases three injections are needed.
Who is eligible?
If you’re eligible and have visited the clinic for PrEP, you may receive a text inviting you to book an appointment for these vaccines.
You can also ask about these vaccines at your routine PrEP appointment or you can phone the clinic 01254 268700 to find out of you’re eligible.
Cervical screenings (used to be known as smear tests) test for HPV and are every five years for people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. Some people may be invited to their cervical screening every three years while the new five year programme comes into place. If you’ve tested positive for HPV in previous screenings then you may be invited to have another screening sooner than five years.
If you’ve received your reminder letter from your GP about your screening being due, you can get your screening done at our clinics. You can book your cervical screening by phoning the service on 01254 268 700
Brook Blackburn doesn’t provide HIV treatment. This can be accessed through the NHS. Burnley Hospital has the closest HIV service to Blackburn with Darwen.
Lancashire LGBT offers different support groups, counselling, activity groups and one-to-one support.
There are a couple of local Rainbow Cafes which are an opportunity for LGBT+ people to meet weekly.
If you are experiencing any of the following, it’s really important you get urgent help:
Phone Brook Blackburn on 01254 268 700 to speak to one of our team as soon as possible or phone 111.
Sexual assault is any sexual act that a person did not consent to, or is forced into against their will. It is a form of sexual violence and includes rape (an assault involving penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth with a penis), or other sexual offences, such as groping, forced kissing or child sexual abuse.
More about sexual assault and violence
You can report the assault to police by calling 999 or 101. A specially trained officer will speak to you about what has happened and will arrange for an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) to support and guide you through the prosecution process. Sexual assault is traumatic and it can sometimes take a while until you feel able to talk about it. Even if the assault happened a long time ago, you can still report it.
If someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, it can be a very distressing and confusing time for you both. You can help to support the person who has been assaulted by:
Try not to feel upset if they don’t want to talk to you about what has happened – sexual violence can be very difficult to discuss, even with someone you trust.
It is important to support them to take whatever action they want to take, which might be nothing, in their own time as they feel able to do so and not to rush them into getting help.
Worried about a child?
If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for help, advice and support.
Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Whatever has happened, there are places and people who can support you – you are not on your own.
SARCs offer medical, practical and emotional support for anyone who has experienced sexual violence. They can help with pregnancy and STI testing, medical help for any injuries and can do a forensic medical examination.
More support organisations
If you need to discuss your health or you’re worried about something, please contact the clinic directly.
Please note that we are unable to help with:
Brook Blackburn is unable to offer 24/7 support, if you need urgent help, there are places you can go and organisations that can help.
A&E Departments:
If you are a professional and need to refer a patient to Brook Blackburn, please email us on referrals.blackburn@brook.org.uk.
We will then be back in touch to request more information and may ask you to complete a referral form.
Our email system is encrypted. If your email system is not encrypted, please do not email the referral but telephone us on 01254 268700 instead.
Please note: Professional referrals are not required to access Brook services (we accept self-referrals).