Sexual health services

The Florey Clinic at the Royal Berkshire Hospital provides free, confidential care and support for all aspects of sexual health services in Reading. The clinic offers a full range of sexual health services including testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception.   

The clinic has male and female doctors and nurses. They undertake assessments and examinations depending on patient needs. 

All services are free and there are no prescription charges. 

The clinic operates a telephone triage system and anybody who needs support should call 0118 322 7202 between 9.30am and 4.30pm. 

Florey clinic offers: 

• sexual health screening for all 
• emergency contraception for all 
• contraception for women 25 and under 
• on-going care and treatment for people living with HIV 
• psychosexual therapy aimed at helping people who have difficulties in their sexual relations 

Safe Sex Berkshire offers tests for 4 most common STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV). These kits are available to people aged 18 years and over who have no symptoms and live in Reading. 

Emergency Hormonal Contraception 

Free Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) treatment is available from pharmacies for females aged 13 to 24 years, for five days after unprotected sex or if a contraceptive method has failed.  

The sooner you take action the more effective the treatment will be. If you are planning on visiting a pharmacy for EHC, we advise you to phone ahead to ensure the service will be available when you visit. 

Women of any age can access free emergency contraception at their GP or at the sexual health clinic. 

There are two types of emergency contraception: 

• the emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called the morning after pill) - this can be used up to five days after sex 
• the IUD (intrauterine device, or coil) - an IUD can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest time you could have ovulated 

If you are not sure about timing, you can discuss your options confidentially with a pharmacist.  

The pharmacies listed below provide an emergency hormonal contraception service, free to females aged 13 to 24 years.  

• Caversham Pharmacy, 59 Hemdean Road, Reading, RG4 7SS
• Christchurch Pharmacy, 68 Christchurch Road, Reading, RG2 7AZ
• Erleigh Road Pharmacy, 85-87 Erleigh Road, Reading, RG1 5NN
• Fourways Pharmacy, 195 London Road, Reading, RG1 3NX
• Grovelands Pharmacy, 2 Grovelands Road, Reading, RG30 2NY
• Overdown Pharmacy, 5 The Colonnade, Overdown Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6PR
• Tilehurst Pharmacy, 7 School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5AR
• Triangle Pharmacy, 88-90 School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5AW
• Western Elms Pharmacy, 351-353 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1AY
• Whitley Wood Pharmacy, 534 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 8NY
• Newdays Pharmacy, 60 Wensley Road, Coley Park, Reading, RG1 6DJ