Telephone number for integrated sexual health services: 0300 373 0709
This number gives options to speak to staff for all five services across our sites:
- Rubin Clinic, Maidstone Hospital
- Rowan Tree Surgery, Tunbridge Wells
- Riverside Clinic, Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend
- Rubin Clinic, Overy Street, Dartford
- SHUK (online home STI screening service)
If you need to cancel your appointment we have a designated cancellation line: 01622 225101.
This is an automated service which asks for your name, DOB, contact number, and the date, time and venue of your appointment. Messages can be left at any time during the day or night and are checked regularly. Allowing sufficient time before your appointment would be much appreciated.
Latest information from the UK Health Security Agency on mpox
Following the World Health Organisation declaring an mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August, the UKHSA has released a statement. The emergence last year and rapid spread of a new mpox virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, clade 1b, is one of the main reasons for the declaration.
Currently, there are no cases of Clade 1 mpox confirmed in the UK. There are only two cases confirmed outside Africa at present (in Sweden and Thailand) as of 27 August.
UKHSA states that: ‘the risk of mpox to the UK population is currently considered low. However, planning is underway to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK.’
There are no current plans to offer further vaccination within the UK, although this may change. We will communicate any updates and advertise vaccination clinics via this website if these become available. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing mpox symptoms, please call the clinic on 0300 373 0709 for further advice.
Advice for patients attending north and west Kent sexual health services
We do not offer walk in appointments but we understand that you may be concerned so please ring us first and we will be able to help you. A booked appointment will be offered if necessary following a telephone consultation with one of our clinicians. They will discuss your concerns and signpost you to the most appropriate service.
If your problem is urgent, don’t worry. We do have a number of same day appointments every day, to see you as soon as possible.
We provide the following:
- STI care clinics daily for STI testing and diagnostic tests for those with symptoms (including a same day clinic for those with urgent problems)
- STI treatment clinics for those with a positive STI test result who need treatment
- Emergency contraception
- SHUK Online STI home screening service (please see section and links below)
- All methods of oral and injectable contraception (pills, patch, ring and injections)
- All LARC methods with insertion and removal procedure clinics (implants and coils)
- Deep implant removal clinic
- HIV services for those living with HIV including routine annual monitoring appointments, urgent care advice and antiretroviral home care delivery
- HIV PEP/PEPSE – HIV post exposure prophylaxis including following sexual exposure
- HIV PrEP – HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
- Dermatology clinic for genital lumps, bumps and skin lesions
- Young Persons clinic.
All patients can call us on 0300 373 0709 for appointments or any queries.
Clinic addresses and opening hours
SHUK STI home screening
If you would prefer to screen at home please use the online STI testing service via www.kent.sh.uk or visit the Kent County Council website. You will be triaged online and will be sent a kit to your home or be offered a call back from one of our nurses, depending on your needs.
If you are over 16 years of age and live in Kent and you are just looking for a check-up you can order a home testing kit.
NEXPLANON implant
The NEXPLANON implant is currently the only progestogen-only contraceptive subdermal implant available in the UK. The implant is a highly effective long-acting reversible method of contraception, licensed for three years of use for contraception.
Our clinics
The Rubin Clinic Sexual Health services provide expert care on all areas of sexual health, HIV care and contraception with a professional, non-judgmental approach across Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. We have a range of specialist doctors and nurses who can help you.
We welcome people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion and age.
How you can contact us
You can come along to any of our confidential services for advice, tests and treatment, but we do suggest that you look at our weekly list of clinic services in your area before you call us.
For advice on STIs, contraception and HIV, or to book an appointment contact us on 0300 373 0709. We are happy to provide information and advice over the phone during our opening hours.
If you need to cancel your appointment we have a designated cancellation line. This is an automated service which asks for your name, DOB, contact number and the date, time and venue of your appointment. Messages can be left at any time during the day or night and are checked regularly. Allowing sufficient time before your appointment would be much appreciated. Cancellation Line No. 01622 225101.
Professionals can refer patients by emailing mtw-tr.rubinclinic@nhs.net.
STI screening
If you are asymptomatic please use the online STI testing service via www.kent.sh.uk or visit the Kent County Council website.
We will be updating our website on a regular basis. Please be assured we will do our best to meet your needs.
A service that’s easy to access
We can usually offer most patients the opportunity to be seen the same day or the next working day but sometimes if you have an urgent problem or limited time you may have to travel to be seen quickly or at a time that is convenient for you.
We are open five days a week and have booked appointment clinics.
If you are under 25 years you can attend our clinics any day of the week. We have dedicated young person clinics in all of our services.
When to test
- Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea should be done two weeks after an episode of unprotected sex in those without symptoms or sooner if you have symptoms of discharge.
- Testing for HIV should be done four weeks after an episode of unprotected sex, or sooner if you have any symptoms of fever, rash and sore throat.
- Testing for Syphilis should be done twelve weeks after an episode of unprotected sex or sooner if you have any symptoms of rash, or sores on your genitals, bottom or mouth.
Here to listen, not to tell
We provide a confidential service to all of our patients. This means you can talk to us about any problem and we will listen.
You can tell others about your visit, but we won’t. Sometimes we might have to consider passing on confidential information without your permission to protect you, or someone else from very serious harm. This is not something we would do unless we were very worried about you and we would always try and discuss our concerns with you first.
We sometimes suggest that we inform your GP of on-going treatment or conditions. We would only write to your GP with your agreement. If you have any questions about confidentiality please feel free to contact us or discuss it with us when you come to one of our clinics.