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Teenage Health

We provide a confidential service to all our patients, no matter what your age. This means we don’t tell anyone else that you have seen us or any details about you, unless you want us to of course. The only reason we might have to think about sharing details about you with someone else is if we were worried that you might hurt yourself or someone else, but in this case we would always try our hardest to discuss this with you first.

Please telephone 01237 426 300 for an appointment, this should ideally be with your own doctor. If however, you have something sensitive to discuss and would prefer to see either a male or female doctor, just say so when you call.

You can also ask for a telephone appointment with your doctor if your query is straight-forward and you don’t need to meet face-to-face. If you want to do this please let the receptionist have your name, telephone number and message. The doctor will call you as soon as they can.

Please telephone 01237 426320 to make an appointment. The nursing staff offer advice (and tests if needed) about sexual health, contraception including the pill and condoms, travel advice, weight management advice and immunisations amongst many other things.

If you require urgent advice or treatment outside normal working hours please ring Devon Doctors on Call 01392 824600. Alternatively you can get free confidential health advice 24/7 from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

I need advice on contraception

Your doctor can advise you about contraception and prescribe it. Or you can attend a family planning clinic, a specialist confidential clinic that deals only with contraception and does not pass on information to anyone else, including your doctor and your doctor’s surgery. For Family Planning Clinic times and information please ring 01271 371761 or 01237 420200. There is a drop-in clinic (no appointment necessary) for the under 21s at Bideford Hospital on Tuesdays 4pm-5pm

I need emergency contraception, otherwise known as 'The Morning After Pill'

The emergency contraceptive pill can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. It is available from any GP, family planning clinic, A&E or can be bought from the chemist. In some cases a coil can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex and is very effective as emergency contraception.

See your doctor, family planning clinic, or nurse as soon as possible. If you can please take a pregnancy test first. Your doctor and nurse can provide help and advice on all aspects of pregnancy – from tests, to healthy eating, to contraception, to abortion.

i think i may have a sexually transmitted disease

h matters. There are lots of ways to get help or advice with this. You could see your doctor at Bideford Medical Centre, or you could go to the GUM (Genito-Urinary medicine) clinic at Bideford Hospital or North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple- see below for their phone numbers.

GUM services are run by doctors and nurses who specialise in sexual health- these clinics are strictly confidential, you don’t even have to give your real name if you don’t want to. And you are quite welcome to go along with a friend or your girlfriend or boyfriend.

It’s normal for young people to worry about sex, and there are often simple explanations for all sorts of symptoms such as discharge from the penis or vagina, and funny ‘lumps and bumps’, but these can also be signs of infection, many of which require simple treatment, mostly with tablets. If you have any worries, or questions to ask about sex and sexual health, or if you have a rash, an itch, a discharge, pain when doing a wee, pain during sex or any other symptoms that concern you, please do not hesitate to see your doctor or the GUM clinic.

Chlamydia is on the rise, and affects men and women. As it mostly causes no symptoms at all you can have it without knowing, but testing for it is simple and prevents long-term problems. Most people are relieved to get answers to their questions and the sooner any problems get sorted, the better!

You can make a confidential appointment at the GUM clinic as follows:

Barnstaple : Exmoor Unit, Outpatients Department, North Devon District Hospital ,
Telephone: 01271 322483 Mon-Fri

Bideford: Bideford Hospital , Outpatients Department,
Telephone 01271 322577 Weds 09.00-11.30am only

Some things to remember-

Always use a condom – even if you are using another contraceptive. Condoms protect against infection.

Lots of people haven’t had sex but say that they have to fit in.

Having sex should be your choice – not someone elses. It’s ok to say NO.

Spots are known medically as ‘acne’. Acne is very common and caused by hormonal changes, NOT by diet or lack of hygiene. Spots can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the face, back and chest. They can very upsetting for the person who has them.

The most effective treatments from the chemist contain benzoyl peroxide, this is in the best ‘available to buy’ acne creams and washes. If your acne does not improve with such treatments your doctor can help with a variety of tablets, creams and lotions available on prescription. Don’t suffer in silence !

If you are worried that you are underweight or overweight please feel free to book an appointment with the nurses or your doctor. We can tell you what your ideal weight is and provide advice on healthy diets & exercise.

Heavy, painful and irregular periods are common and can often be helped – talk to your GP.

Mood swings and feelings of frustration are very common in people of all ages. All that’s often needed is regular exercise and relaxation. Talking to family and friends often helps a lot.

When low moods persist or if you have thoughts of harming yourself please see your doctor for help. It may simply be that things will get better by talking to your doctor, or you may need to think about counselling or medicine, your doctor can talk these options through with you if they’re appropriate.

I have a cold/sore throat / stomach upset etc.

Talk to the chemist – most minor illnesses get better without needing a doctor and a chemist will be happy to advise on treatments and when you should see a G.P. Alternatively you can call NHS direct 0845 4647.

If you are worried about alcohol, drugs or smoking your doctor or nurse can provide confidential advice. They can discuss with you the problems and health risks involved in all 3 and can help you come off cigarettes, drugs and alcohol. These are common problems so the doctors and nurses are experienced in helping with them and won’t be shocked by anything you have to tell them.

Other on-line places to get help –

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