This section details the typical sequence of events when you visit the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) as a client.
Step 1: Reception
1. When you arrive at MSHC, you will need to report to the reception desk.
2. If this is your first visit, you will be asked to complete a registration form. On the registration form you will required to provide some information about yourself, including your contact details.
- You may use a name on the form that is different to your real name.
- Should you use a different name, please remember the details for return visits.
3. You will be seen by a Triage Nurse, who will ascertain why you are here. The nurse will book you in to see either a sexual health nurse or a doctor and give you an approximate waiting time, or may recommend you visit your own doctor.
4. As soon as a doctor or nurse is available you will be called from the waiting room by the first name given on your registration form.
Important:
- Waiting times vary and there may be a delay depending on how many people attend the clinic on any day.
- You should allow at least two hours for your visit.
- Depending on what issues you are attending MSHC for, the Triage Nurse may refer you to an outside service.
Step 2: Consultation
A doctor or nurse will see you and ask some personal questions about your sexual health risks and general health. You will have a discussion with them about what tests or treatment are appropriate. (Refer to the Common infections page for further information on Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)).
When conducting an assessment, the doctor or nurse practitioner will ask personal questions about your sex life and your health. Topics commonly discussed with the doctor or nurse include:
- Current and previous sexual partners
- Sexual partners from overseas
- Sexual and recreational practices that may put you at risk for STIs
Personal sexual health questions are only asked for the purposes of assessing your health.
Student nurses and doctors: MSHC is the major provider of sexual health education and training for healthcare professionals in the state of Victoria. You may be offered the option of letting another health professional attend your consultation to gain experience. You have the right to decline having a consultation with a student or trainee present.
Research and clinic evaluation: Often we have projects to evaluate the services offered and needs of the clients. You may be asked to participate in completing a short questionnaire during your visit. Participation is voluntary.
Step 3: Examination and tests
Part of a sexual health examination may involve examination and testing of your genital area or a blood test.
Sexual health examination:
Some sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are diagnosed by their appearance.
If you require an examination:
- All the doctor will ask you to do is undress from the waist down. All examinations are performed on professionally designed couches.
- In some cases, the throat or anus may be examined and tested for STIs.
- Genital examinations and testing is mostly painless. Some swab tests may cause minor, temporary discomfort.
Blood tests:
Some STIs are diagnosed by a blood test.
- The doctor may offer you blood tests, even if you are low risk for blood borne STIs.
- Blood samples can be taken at the MSHC during your visit.
- Anyone requesting a blood test for HIV at the MSHC will undergo brief counselling before having a blood sample collected and again before receiving the test results. This is to ensure people understand safe sex, how HIV is passed on and the testing procedure.
After examination and testing, some samples are taken to the on-site laboratory at MSHC for immediate testing. You may be asked to wait for preliminary results.
Step 4: Results and follow up
The doctor or nurse will tell you when your test results will be available and how you can obtain them. If necessary, they may discuss with you the treatment and management of an infection.
Important:
- Some specimens are sent to outside laboratories for testing, and the results may not be available for 2 to 3 weeks after your consultation at MSHC.
- If you have a blood test for HIV, you will need to return to MSHC to get your results in person from a doctor or nurse.
Step 5: Treatment
If you have tested positive for an STI, the doctor will also talk to you about recent sexual partners that may also need treatment. There is a pharmacy on site at MSHC and MSHC scripts are used for this service. The doctor will issue a script and the MSHC pharmacy will dispense the medication. All items from our pharmacy are free, including condoms, lubricant and needle exchange.