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Medicenter:
This is a chain of
walk-in clinics where for a fee, you can see a doctor or
nurse virtually immediately. They are conveniently situated
in major railway stations and Oxford Street. The opening
times differ for each location, but at least one is open
every day including Saturday and Sunday. Whilst you
can just turn up, it is worth phoning the relevant centre in
advance to check it can handle what you want (not every
centre may hold stocks of particular injections, for
example) and to check the opening times. The staff will also
be able to explain prices on the phone, but they will do
this anyway when you walk in. A consultation with a doctor,
should cost around £40, with medicines extra - which isn't
bad if it gives you peace of mind. However, if you only need
to see a nurse, you just pay for the medication. When
I went recently, a flu jab cost me just £15, all in. There
is a 24 hour telephone number (0870 600 0870) to ring
- here are some venues convenient for central London:
- Euston mainline
station: (0)20 7388 3211 (Euston tube)
Open 0900-1900 Mon-Fri
- The Plaza (shopping
arcade), 120 Oxford Street (on the North side, 5
minutes walk from Tottenham Court tube).
(0)20 7637 7883 (Tottenham Court Rd tube)
1000-1900 daily expect Thursday which is
1000-2000, and Sunday which is 1200-1800
- Victoria mainline
Station (platform 1, main concourse)
(0)20 7931 9824 (Victoria tube)
0800-2000 Mon-Fri, 1000-1600 Sat/Sun
- Waterloo mainline
station (first floor - up from the main concourse)
(0)20 7803 0732 (Waterloo tube)
0800-1800 Mon-Fri
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases:
If you think you may have picked up a sexually
transmitted disease or just want a routine checkup,
then here are two clinics. Both are run by the National
Health service - you may have to fill in a form to register
- name, address, name of a doctor etc. Some people put down
anything to be completely anonymous, although the service is
absolutely confidential in any case. Both clinics can do
some tests on the spot, and may be able to give you
treatment and medicine there and then. Don't you just
love modern medicine:
- the first is the Lydia
clinic in St Thomas's Hospital - you do not need
an appointment, just turn up - but be warned - you
may end up waiting an hour or two, depending on
how many happen to be waiting. You might consider
phoning in advance to ask advice when best to go.
Also, it may be possible to book an appointment in
advance (they sometimes allow the odd appointment
very early in the day, before the normal clinic).
St Thomas's Hospital is
the big modern collection of buildings, on the banks of
the river Thames, directly opposite the Houses of
Parliament (Westminster tube, then walk over
Westminster bridge and the hospital is immediately on
the right hand side of the road). Just go into any of
the buildings and ask for the Lydia clinic. Telephone
number is (0)20 7928 9292. Opening times are
0900-1600 on Mon, Tues, Thurs and Friday.
1130-1600 on Wednesday.
- second is the Lloyd
clinic in 'Thomas Guy House', St Guys Hospital.
For this you need to phone in advance and make an
appointment. The benefit is that you will be seen
really quickly, without having to hang around.
St Guy's Hospital is next to London Bridge
mainline and tube stations. As you face the
trains, from the left end of the concourse follow
the signs across a footbridge over a road, and the
Lloyd clinic is in the building at the end of the
bridge on the left (entry is from the end of the
footbridge). Telephone (0)20 7955 4511 for males,
(0)20 7955 4510 for females and (0)20 7955 4940
for health advisers. Opening times are 0900-1700
Mon, 0900-1700 Tues, 1300-2000 Wed, 0900-1700
Thursday, closed Friday and weekends. The clinic
on Tuesday between 1700 and 2000 used to be
exclusively for gay and bisexual men, although I
am not sure if that is still the case. The staff
here are particularly friendly and the whole set
up will really put you on your ease.
Hepatitis A and B Jabs:
You can get free and confidential Hepatitis A and B jabs
(course of 3 injections) at 'Sorted' at the Victoria Clinic
for Sexual Health (Victoria or St James Park tube stations).
This is a walk-in service (no need to book an appointment)
and operates on Fridays from 1700 until 2100 at the South
Westminster Centre, 82 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PF. Tel
020 8746 8700 for directions, if you are not sure where it
is.
Pharmacy:
If you go to 'Boots the Chemist' (big chain of stores
on most high streets), you can get some instant advice and
medication from the pharmacist at the pharmacy counter -
just ask to speak to the pharmacist on duty. They are
medically trained, and know enough to solve simple ailments.
However, it can be a bit embarrassing explaining the
intimate details of your symptoms in a crowded shop -
particularly if there is a queue of schoolgirls behind, the
pharmacist is partially deaf and you have to shout.
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