The Service you can expect

Good clinic practice is about staff respecting your dignity and treating you with the least possible discomfort. When you're there you should be able to:

Understand and be kept fully informed about what's going on.

Have questions asked with sensitivity and in plain language.

Have time and attention to express concerns and ask questions.

Have your questions answered honestly and in plain language.

Be given time to understand the answers.

Be asked for your consent to any tests or treatments. Sometimes doctors and staff assume that you are heterosexual or if they know you're gay, pigeonhole sexual activities by simply asking whether you had 'active' or 'passive' sex. Some of us accept that doctors rarely have an accurate understanding of gay lifestyles and resign ourselves to this clumsy line of questioning. Even if staff are making assumptions, saying so can be awkward and embarrassing and besides, why should you take on the education needs of clinic staff? It's only when we start saying what we want and how we expect to be treated that services will improve. Questionnaires, surveys, studies and trials You may be asked to take part in a survey or, if you are receiving HIV treatments/therapies, a clinical trial. Before you make any decision you need to understand the purpose of the survey/trial etc; what is involved; your rights and whether there are any dangers or risks. If you have difficulty in understanding what is being asked of you, ask that the questions)or information are rephrased or re-explained. You should also be given time to think about what has been said before you make any decision. Treatment If you have an STI then you'll be prescribed a course of treatment. If you're given antibiotics then it is very important that you complete the whole course even if you think the symptoms have gone away. The infection may not have been fully cured and if it comes back then it can be more difficult to treat second time round. You will be asked to come back to check the infection has gone away. If you don't understand what the treatment is and you want to know, don't be afraid to ask, or if you are unhappy with what you've been given then ask if there's an alternative. All treatment and prescriptions are free. Telling your partner(s) If you have or have had a recent infection you should tell all your partners (if you can) so that they can also go for check-ups. This may not be easy - but think about it if the roles were reversed. Health advisers will want to make sure that all your recent partners are traced so that they can be warned that they need a check-up too. You don't have to give any details of who you've had sex with, just assure the health adviser that you will personally tell all your partners. Then do it! Remember, you can have most sexually transmitted infections without there being any external or recognisable symptoms. The situation is more complex if you test HIV antibody positive but the health adviser will help you tackle the issues. Saying thank you and making complaints Acknowledging when and where clinics get it right is just as important as complaining. Many dedicated staff work very hard to ensure that clinic services meet our needs with the least discomfort and embarrassment. Quite simply, if you're pleased with the service say so and spread the word. Making a complaint can be difficult and embarrassing particularly if it involves coming face to face (again) with the member of staff you're complaining about. Think carefully about why you are complaining, what you want to say, and what you want to get out of the situation. Maybe it's an apology you want, or an improvement in the service you've received. Being clear and calm will not just help you but also the clinic in understanding why you've made the complaint in the first place. You may want to deal with the situation then and there. Alternatively, when you get home make a note of the incident before contacting the clinic again. (An irate call to the clinic may make you feel better - but unless you provide your name, who was involved, and what happened, it's unlikely that the clinic can carry the complaint further.) It may be useful to talk it through with a friend - preferably one who'll be supportive but objective. If you don't wish to contact the member of staff concerned directly, try the clinic's business manager, the senior health advisor, or the senior consultant. Some clinics have a system for complaints and suggestions and this may be a useful place to start. This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:

several chapters more useful advice and information

more in-depth information in some chapters

more pictures and tables

further contacts at the end of each chapter

a comprehensive listing of gay and health organisations Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.

Available from Prowler Stores and all good bookshops, or click the link below for price and ordering details.

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