Sexual health clinic is forced to cut services

A sexual health clinic in Paisley will not be providing face- toface services for the foreseeable future as part of Covid- 19 restrictions.

When the coronavirus lockdown was announced on March 23, Sandyford Sexual Health Service reduced to operating from its site in Paisley and one in Glasgow while a decision was made to pull all non- essential services.

And now bosses from Renfrewshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership ( HSCP) have announced services at Paisley will not be provided face-to-face until further notice.

Anyone who requires these services will be advised to phone Sandyford’s main site in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, where an experienced nurse will help them.

Health chiefs have said the call was made due to a major reduction in the number of people attending the clinic, but have reminded those who may be concerned the move is only intended to be short-term.

A HSCP spokesman said: “Everyone who needs to access Sandyford’s services will still be able to do so – safely and confidentially.

“In response to the social distancing restrictions resulting from Covid- 19 and to keep our patients and staff safe, Sandyford Sexual Health Service reduced to operating from two sites, Sandyford Central and Sandyford Paisley.

“Since then, the numbers attending the Paisley service have been very low. Due to the significant reduction in demand for its services, Sandyford Paisley is no longer providing face- toface access to the public, until further notice.

“By making this temporary closure, it enables Sandyford to redirect resources to deliver services where they are most needed.

“Sandyford would like to stress it is intended this service change will be shortterm and Paisley will be a priority for re- opening as part of its service recovery planning.”

Patients can continue to be seen at Sandyford’s main site in Glasgow and can phone the service on 0141 211 8130 for advice and guidance.

A full list of services available is also publicly available on the Sandyford website at www.sandyford. scot