STI Result: Ask the Clinic for Partner-Contact Help

If a test confirms an STI, ask the sexual health clinic for help with the partner-contact discussion. The NHS¹ says clinics can usually contact partners without naming you. Confirm what your own service can offer rather than assuming how the contact will work.¹

Ask for help with the process

Try: “I need help contacting partners about this result. What assistance can your clinic provide?”¹

Ask the team to explain the arrangements and your contact for questions.

Clarify what the clinic needs

Try: “What details do you need from me, and how would you contact them? What information would be included?”¹

Say which details are missing and ask about the next step.

Raise concerns privately

Try: “I am worried about being identified or about what could happen after contact. Can we discuss that privately before making a plan?”

The general NHS¹ description is not a guarantee of anonymity or safety in every situation. Explain your concerns to your own team and ask how they affect the arrangements.

Record the plan and contact person. Ask the clinic about treatment and follow-up separately.

Down There, Decoded includes an appointment script and a Down-There Log. Use the script to organize the questions you want answered by your team. See the book.