When you visit a GP, nurse or any member of the medical profession, you are entering into a situation which legally offers you complete confidentiality. But in sexual health clinics, these rules which protect the patient are even tighter. Potential changes to the laws by which medical staff are bound could mean that this level of anonymity could become weaker – not only will this lead to problems with people’s confidence in the staff, but will also lead to less people seeking treatment or check-ups.
Let’s take an argument – you have a one night stand or sleep with a new sexual partner, so you visit a clinic for a check-up and an STD test. How would you feel if your results showed up on your medical records, so that every GP or future medical professional could see these results? Do they need to know? Current UK legislation removes this problem, as each visitor to a GUM clinic is assigned a unique ID number. However, new initiatives could change this, so that your general NHS number is used. This could mean that any NHS worker could consult you about your STI history, diagnoses or treatment.
Most STI’s can be treated with just one visit, so such future medical care is not needed. So why would your NHS number be necessary? If your anonymity was lost, it could make you less likely to attend – this would lead to a dramatic increase in sexually transmitted disease and health problems. However, there are arguments for the change to lead to positive results. With cases of HIV, a chronic health condition which requires constant monitoring and health support. If health professionals were to know about the condition, it could help them treat the patient more effectively and support them as necessary. Good sexual health practice is important either way, in order to sustain good health and reduce the risk of developing or catching an STI.
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