Dear Admins, please move this thread if it is in the wrong place. [Edited: links made clickable again]

I mentioned this place in another thread, but was told it was worth making a whole new post about.

http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/hiv-sexual-health/clinics/56-dean-street/56-dean-street
56 Dean Street is amazing. It was recommended to me by BlueDomme, and she said that she'd never go anywhere else. I thought she was exaggerating. It was surreal. I almost felt like I was being pampered at a luxurious spa day. Oh, and it is NHS funded!

I went to their Wednesday evening SWISH clinic, aimed at sex workers:
http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/hiv-sexual-health/clinics/56-dean-street/services
When I walked in the reception guy was lovely. I arrived 5 minutes before they were meant to close the clinic (I had the wrong timings, possibly from the website that may need updating) but he still sent me up the lift (because this is apparently a multi-storey establishment!) and I already felt the feel of class in the place.

At the reception the woman was equally lovely. Nothing was said about sex work, just "are you here for SWISH?" "yes" "is it your first time here?" "yes" "fill out these forms for me". She didn't mind that I used my work name and number. They then give you an ID number on their systems, so results are effectively anonymous anyway.

Waiting it seemed there were a lot of male sex workers there, which I think is good, as the awareness of the increased risk of HIV is clearly being taken seriously. The whole place was like a top quality 4 star hotel - professional, stylish and elegant. It made me feel more comfortable than being in a hospital that smells of pee and death, that's for sure!

I then went into the room to see the Nurse and she let BlueDomme come in with me (we'd been hanging out in town together) and we all had a joke and giggle, very relaxed atmosphere, very calming (I can't stand needles) and friendly. Did all my tests quickly. Gave me a Hep B booster (I'd already had one), and a Hep A vaccination, which I hadn't even realised existed. She did an oral swab on me, then gave me an anal and vaginal one to do in the loos myself, as well as a cup to pee in (I was paranoid and asked for a pregnancy test. I should specify that all these things aren't compulsory, but I wanted the full works and I got them, even though they were meant to be closing for the night).

She then sent me and BlueDomme to have a chat with their sexual health expert man, who gave us condoms of all shapes, sizes, flavours, materials etc, lubes of different varieties and sponges you can use on your period. He also gave us business cards for his own offices where he has many more of these things (haven't been there) should we want them. He was equally lovely and very knowledgeable (as BlueDomme asked probing questions the way she always does, with specialist topics like bloodplay involved). During this time the nurse popped her head in - within 5 minutes - to let me know that I wasn't pregnant - hooray!

I got a text about 2 days later to say that all my results were clear. If you think that that is efficient, they have another clinic on the same road - Dean Street Express - that gives you same day results, including HIV results within 60 seconds!
http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/hiv-sexual-health/clinics/dean-street-express
I haven't been there yet, as I liked the specialist treatment at SWISH, but I know BlueDomme has and recommends it, so just ask her.

Anyway, I left feeling confident, reassured, pampered and with free condoms and period spongey things that I still haven't tried, but am definitely going to experiment with!

I give this place 5 stars, so if you ever spend any time in Soho, get down there and check it out. You don't have to go on SWISH night, but I found that the understanding and support offered by people who knew how to handle sex workers made me feel safe and happy. They didn't even seem to mind that by the time we were done, with all our questions, chit chat and the rest of it, plus our wait time, they were actually closing up an hour later than they were meant to. I really got the feeling that they cared, enjoyed their jobs and were happy to make sure that we were being looked after with out sexual health.

Has anyone else been there, or have somewhere they want to recommend?

I'll definitely recommend Dean Street Express for anybody in a hurry - I can't easily post links because I'm on my phone, but it's easy enough to google and very much worth a visit. Results are texted within six hours I think - I've never waited more than half that.

SF, you can post proper links to stuff like this, because we don't mind them getting/seeing traffic from this site. If you could edit them that would be great, if not then I'll do it next time I get near a computer .

Oh, okay amy! Modifying now!

I'm sooo going there! It'll be my first ever;)

These are the same people who do CliniQ for trans people, who are also awesome!

Ive heard its very good but I know a member of staff there and feel reluctant as she doesn't know my business . Ill have to give it a miss and go to jefferis at Paddington instead as id be too worried she would tell people behind my back .

If she works at 56 Dean Street you could try Dean Street Express or vice versa? Or go on a regular clinic day, not SWISH, so just an ordinary civvie check up? Could even tell your nurse in private if you like without your friend knowing?

I always use this clinic, it's so much more different from the usual GUM clinics. It's quick, clean, light, feels more like you waiting in some modeling agency lol. They even come around offering biscuits and tea, the tables normally have a bowl of sweets. The results are quick, normally the next day by text, HIV test are the rapid within a minute ones.

I don't live near it, but I travel there. Been to other GUM clinics, staff can be rude, places normally dingy and full of teens ( not that a prob lol). Dean street, I hate saying this as it just wrong, but the clinic is full of eye candy ( yep, it wrong to be admiring when you're all there to be tested for STD's) 

this seems great! i'm new (ie have my first clients this week) and have been trying to figure out a place i can go to monthly/every two months or so to get tests and stuff. thanks for the info!

Hi KayHerts,
How are you today?
I just noticed your query- you can go to any sexual health clinic anywhere that suits you, there is no post code restriction! All NHS sexual health clinics are free and confidential, they will not contact your GP without your consent.  Hope this is helpful and good luck. We are a different specialist service for sex workers based in Paddington. Take care,
Best wishes
Jane from Praed Street project