D D.
5/5
I've been attending this clinic since it first opened in the One Life Centre. A few years ago it relocated to The Fens.
I can't do online kits, my platelets are just too efficient and I'll go through all of the lances and not even manage 25% of the amount of blood they need for the sample!
There have been a few isolated negative experiences, mainly when the service was still under Virgin Care, but on the whole it's been good. I'm not sure if it's a simple rebrand to HCRG Group or if it's a different company altogether, but things have definitely changed for the better.
Dr Tayal is one of the kindest, most helpful and considerate doctors I've ever met. I was genuinely devastated when I heard he had retired.
The service has improved considerably over the last few years and it's now usually a very smooth experience. It's discreet and the staff are extremely knowledgeable, kind, caring and considerate.
Getting screened and picking up PrEP is really straightforward.
The nurses are really friendly and helpful.
I have Long Covid and I get a lot of social and Covid anxiety, especially given the waiting room is extremely small. They're very accommodating and help me to avoid the busy times.
I don't like the walk in clinics, they make me extremely anxious. They're usually exceptionally busy, it's a very small waiting room, and every single time I've been there's been a group of undesirables, rough chav types who go in groups to get tested in some sort of toxic masculinity ritual to demonstrate how they're all Alpha men, using about ten f bombs in every sentence, as they laugh and giggle with the mentality of 13 year olds about how they're still going to be having sex in Ibiza even if they do have Chlamydia and they don't care what the nurse tells them! I feel really bad for the staff having to deal with these types and it's not a great reflection on Hartlepool. It makes me really uncomfortable listening to them and the vile things they're saying and it's alarming how many guys under 25 seem to be like this nowadays.
I'm grateful for this service and to the staff, especially Dr Tayal.
I had major issues with my GP surgery, but this clinic really helped me with the problem, doing things that was the responsibility of the GP practice, such as a full urine culture and sensitivity report to check for non-sexual urinary tract infections, as well as a physical examination. They ruled things out and ultimately I had to go back to my GP anyway, but I was able to get certain investigations done here which my GP really should have - but failed to - manage.
It's a said state of affairs when you have to go to a sexual health clinic for standard urinary tract infection screening, but I'm grateful to them. Got the all clear for the sexual health screening and a negative/no growth for the bacterial culture in half of the usual time.
The texting system is great and you get a few reminders for appointments and the results of any screening is usually quick.
Beware the car park at The Fens shops. Apparently it's 90 minutes maximum stay, and then you can leave, re-enter and park in another spot to reset the timer. It's easy to exceed 90 minutes attending the walk in.
