- all types of contraception, including long term types such as injections, coils and implants
- emergency contraception
- testing for all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV
- treatment for STIs such as chlamydia, syphilis, herpes and gonorrhoea
- chlamydia screening for young people aged 15 -25
- advice about unprotected sex
- support for people sexually exploited or abused
- pregnancy testing and referral for termination
- advice and support for LGBTQ sexual health
It’s important to look after sexual health, in the same way people look after their physical and mental health.
Free contraception and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is available to all people in Solihull, from your family doctor or from specialist sexual health clinics. All services are completely confidential.
Solihull sexual health services
Umbrella Sexual Health Services provide advice, information and help for you whatever your sexual health needs. This includes:
Umbrella Sexual Health Services
Visit the Umbrella website to:
- request a self sampling STI testing kit to use at home
- find out what services are available locally
- book an appointment online
You can contact the Umbrella service by calling 0121 237 5700.
You can use any Umbrella clinic across Birmingham and Solihull.
Other sexual health services
Umbrella works with lots of partners, including the:
- Birmingham LGBT centre
- Solihull Integrated Addiction Services (SIAS)
- Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP)
Young people
Umbrella run a specialist service for young people. You can contact the service by calling 0121 237 5700.
You can also visit the You+ shop in Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre for support, including:
- free condoms
- pregnancy tests
- STI self test kits
Contraception
Contraception is free for everyone, and services are completely confidential, even for young people under 16 (but over 13).
Condoms help stop infections. They also reduce the risk of pregnancy, although other types of contraception are more reliable.
Other types of contraception do not stop infections, but are more effective in preventing unplanned pregnancy. All GPs can provide oral contraceptives and injectable contraceptives, and some can also fit coils and implant Long-acting Reversible Contraception (LARC).
LARC don’t rely on you remembering to take something, but they do need a trained doctor or nurse to fit them. LARCs, which include implants, injections and the coil, can remain effective for a long time.
Emergency contraception can stop you becoming pregnant if you’ve had sex without contraception or think your contraception might not have worked. Emergency contraception can be used up to 5 days afterwards but is most effective as soon as possible after having unprotected sex.
Primary Care centres that provide LARC
| Surgery name | Address | Telephone number |
|---|---|---|
| Arden Medical Centre | Downing Close, off Station Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 0QA | 01564 739194 |
| Arran Medical Centre
(sister practice to Sheldon Heath Medical Centre) |
Mull Croft, Smiths Wood, Birmingham B36 0PU | 0121 770 4043 |
| Balsall Common Practice (sister practice to Meriden Group Practice) | Balsall Common Health Centre, 1 Ashley Drive, Balsall Common CV7 7RW | 01676 536 833/01676 935 000 |
| Bosworth Medical Centre |
Chelmsley Wood Primary Care Centre, Crabtree Drive, Chelmsley Wood B37 5BU |
0121 770 4484 |
| Chester Road Surgery | 406c Chester Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmigham B36 0LF | 0121 770 3035 |
| Coventry Road Practice | 2314 Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3JS | 0121 743 2154 |
| Croft Medical Centre | 1 Pomeroy Way, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham B37 7WB | 0121 270 7180 (option 3 - general enquiries) |
| Dickens Heath Medical Centre (Sister Practice to The Jacey Practice) | 94 Old Dickens Heath Rd, Dickens Heath, Shirley, Solihull B90 1SD | 0121 744 9393 |
| Dorridge Surgery | Downing Close off Station Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 0QA | 01564 776 262 |
| GPS - Tanworth Lane Surgery | 198 Tanworth Lane, Shirley, Solihull B90 4DD | 0121 796 2777 (Option 3) |
| Grove Surgery
(sister practice to Shirley Medical Centre) |
3 Grove Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 2AG | 0121 705 1105 |
| Hampton Surgery |
Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden, Solihull B92 OAH |
01675 442510 |
| Haslucks Green Medical Centre | 287 Haslucks Green Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 2LW | 0121 744 6663 |
| Hobs Moat Medical Centre | Ulleries Road, Solihull B92 8ED | 0121 742 5211 |
| Meadowside Family Health Centre | 30 Winchcombe Road, Solihull B92 8PJ | 0121 796 2777 (Option 1) |
| Monkspath Surgery | Farmhouse Way, Monkspath, Solihull B90 4EH | 0121 7111 414 |
| Northbrook Group Practice | 93 Northbrook Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3LX | 0121 746 5000 |
| Park Surgery GPS | 278 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3AF | 0121 796 2777 (Option 5) |
| Richmond Medical Centre | 179 Richmond Road, Solihull, West Midlands B92 7SA | 0121 743 2159 |
| Shirley Medical Centre (sister practice to Grove Road Surgery) | 8 Union Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3DT | 0121 705 1105 |
| The Blythe Practice GPS | 1500 Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 9LE | 0121 796 2777 (Option 4) |
| The Castle Practice | 2 Hawthorne Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham B36 0HH | 0121 747 2422 |
| The Jacey Practice (sister practice to Dickens Heath Medical Centre) | 93 Northbrook Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3LX | 0121 745-9333 (Option 3) |
| The Village Surgery GPS | Cheswick Green, Shirley, Solihull B90 4JA | 0121 796 2777 (Option 6) |
| Yew Tree Medical Centre GPS | 100 Yew Tree Lane, Solihull B91 2RA | 0121 796 2777 (Option 2) |
If your practice does not offer LARC
If your practice does not offer LARC, you can request a referral form from them and contact Croft Medical Centre in Chelmsley Wood who can help.
Pharmacy providers of Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC)
Community pharmacies can be a more convenient choice for accessing sexual health services. They are easily accessible and often open in the evenings and at the weekend.
Oral contraception (the pill) and oral emergency contraception are available via the NHS at most pharmacies. These pharmacies can:
- provide oral emergency contraception
- provide a repeat prescription of your usual pill
- start you on the pill if you have never taken it before or want to start taking it again after a break
The pharmacist will offer you a confidential consultation to understand your oral contraception requirements.
You can find out more information on NHS England.
Find a local pharmacy that offers oral emergency contraception and oral contraception via the NHS website.
Safe sex and reducing risk
STIs and unwanted pregnancy are avoidable - you can reduce your risk by having safe sex. Safe sex means:
- using condoms
- not having sex when affected by alcohol or drugs
Condoms are the most effective way to protect against sexually transmitted infections and should be used when having sex, especially with a new partner. Using another contraceptive, such as the pill, will reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy too.