Bringing Sexual Health Services into the 21st century

56 Dean Street—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s new sexual health centre opens

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's new state-of-the-art sexual health centre named and located at 56 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 6AQ, was officially opened by Lord Darzi, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, today.

Located in the heart of Soho, 56 Dean Street offers a wide range of free and confidential sexual health and HIV services for men and women of all ages in a modern, contemporary environment. 56 Dean Street has free wi-fi access throughout the building and uses the latest technology to provide a quicker, more efficient service for everyone.

56 Dean Street replaces the services that were available at the Victoria Street Clinic in Vincent Square, SW1, which has now closed.

Dr Alan McOwan, Service Director at 56 Dean Street, said:

"In the first month, we have seen a 19% increase compared to the number of people we saw at the Victoria Clinic which clearly shows that people are responding positively to what we have on offer at 56 Dean Street.

"At the Victoria Street Clinic we won a number of awards for our innovative sexual health campaigns and services. The move to new and larger premises at 56 Dean Street provided us with another opportunity to think outside the box. We wanted to move firmly away from the sterile and dull environments that are all too often associated with sexual health clinics and services.

"With the number of sexually transmitted infections continuing to rise we wanted to break down the stigma of visiting a sexual health clinic. The colours, finishes and quality of materials and furnishings used at 56 Dean Street have created an inviting, comfortable and reassuring environment. We want people to feel welcome, and this unique look and feel will allow us to do that."

56 Dean Street provides an accessible, appointment based service which is available at times when people need them. It is open until 7pm two evenings a week and on Saturdays (making it one of only two NHS sexual health clinics in London to offer Saturday opening—the other being Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's West London Centre for Sexual Health).

Lord Darzi said:

"The government has delivered major improvements in sexual health services in England. Reduced waiting times, better accessibility and a service centred around the patient are now possible because of the increased levels of investment by both the Government and the NHS locally.

"Across the country the NHS is investing considerable resources to create state of the art premises designed with the needs of the patient at their heart. 56 Dean Street is an impressive example of this. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital show what is being achieved in the NHS as it focuses on providing the highest quality care for patients."

For further information on services and opening times visit www.56deanstreet.nhs.uk.

• 56 Dean Street brochure (1.3mb PDF)