Rapid, accurate STI testing with no GP referral required, no waiting lists and complete discretion. From HIV and syphilis to chlamydia, gonorrhoea and herpes — we test what you need to know, quickly and privately.
Our Rapid Tests
All tests are rapid point-of-care tests performed by our qualified clinical team. Results are available within 5 minutes of sample collection. Book online or call us to arrange your appointment.
Syphilis & HIV screening via finger-prick blood sample
Genital herpes (HSV) detection via oral saliva swab
Chlamydia & gonorrhoea detection via swab sample
Early pregnancy detection via urine sample
Understanding STIs
Many STIs have no symptoms in their early stages. Understanding how infections are transmitted, and testing regularly if you are sexually active, is the most effective way to protect your own health and that of your partners.
HIV attacks the immune system, gradually reducing the body's ability to fight infections and disease. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). With modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass on the virus when their viral load is undetectable (U=U). Early diagnosis is essential.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. It progresses through stages: a painless sore (primary), rash and flu-like symptoms (secondary), a latent stage with no symptoms, and potentially serious organ damage if untreated (tertiary). Syphilis rates in the UK have risen sharply in recent years and the infection is easily cured with antibiotics when caught early.
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Around 70–80% of people with chlamydia have no symptoms, making regular testing essential. Untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, epididymitis in men, and can affect fertility in both sexes. It is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, sometimes called "the clap." It can infect the genitals, rectum and throat. Symptoms include unusual discharge, pain when urinating and pelvic pain — but many people have no symptoms at all. Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea is a growing public health concern. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents complications and further spread.
Genital herpes is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus — most commonly HSV-2 for genital herpes, and HSV-1 (usually associated with cold sores) which is increasingly the cause of genital infections. Many people with herpes never know they have it, as outbreaks can be very mild or absent. Herpes is lifelong but manageable with antiviral medication, which reduces outbreaks and the risk of transmission.
A urine pregnancy test detects the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is produced after a fertilised egg implants in the womb. Our clinical pregnancy test can detect pregnancy earlier than many home tests and is confirmed by a qualified clinician who can provide immediate support and signposting to appropriate services depending on the result.
How STIs Spread
Understanding how STIs are transmitted helps you assess your own risk. Many infections are passed on without either partner being aware — making regular testing an essential part of sexual health.
Why Ready Health
Our NHS-trained clinical team offers the same standard of care as a specialist sexual health clinic, with the added benefit of minimal waiting times and complete privacy.
Your results and personal details are never shared without your consent. Our appointments are private, discreet and handled with the utmost sensitivity.
All our sexual health tests are rapid point-of-care tests. There is no waiting days for laboratory results — you will have your answer before you leave the clinic.
Individual tests from just £25. No hidden consultation fees — you pay for the test you need, nothing more.
Every appointment is conducted by a qualified, registered clinician — GMC, NMC or GPhC registered. Professional care without the NHS wait.
Book directly — no referral letter, no waiting for an NHS appointment. Access the testing you need, when you need it.
Based at 22 High Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 0HL. Convenient for patients across Wigan, Chorley, Leigh and Lancashire.
Common Questions
All our sexual health tests are rapid point-of-care tests that deliver results within 5 minutes of your sample being collected. You will receive your result and a clinical discussion before you leave the clinic — there is no need to wait for laboratory analysis.
Yes, absolutely. Your results and all personal information you share with us are fully confidential. We will not share your results with your GP, employer or anyone else without your explicit consent. The only exception would be where there is a legal duty to notify, which we would always discuss with you first.
We recommend booking an appointment to ensure a clinician is available for you at your preferred time. You can book online or by calling us on 01257 676 001. Please contact us in advance as appointment availability varies.
If your result is positive, your clinician will discuss the result with you fully, explain what it means and advise on the next steps. For bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, treatment (usually antibiotics) can often be arranged promptly. For HIV, we will support you in accessing specialist HIV care and treatment. All positive results are handled with complete sensitivity and professionalism.
Partner notification — sometimes called contact tracing — is strongly recommended if you test positive for an STI, to protect the health of people you may have exposed to infection. Your clinician can advise you on how to do this. In some cases (such as HIV), partner notification support services are available. You are not legally obligated to notify partners in the UK, but it is strongly encouraged.
This depends on the infection. For chlamydia and gonorrhoea, testing is usually reliable from 2 weeks after exposure. For HIV and syphilis, the window period for antibody tests is typically 4 weeks for a preliminary result and 12 weeks for a definitive result. If you have had a potential HIV exposure within the last 72 hours, contact NHS 111 immediately about PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes infection. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the late stage of HIV infection, when the immune system is severely compromised and the body can no longer fight off infections and diseases it would normally resist. With modern treatment (antiretroviral therapy), the vast majority of people diagnosed with HIV in the UK never develop AIDS.
Yes. You can have multiple tests in a single appointment — for example, combining a blood test (HIV and syphilis), a swab test (chlamydia and gonorrhoea) and a saliva test (herpes). Each test is priced separately at £25. Please let us know when booking which tests you would like so we can allocate enough time for your appointment.
Cold sores on the lips are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1), while genital herpes is most commonly caused by HSV-2 — though HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes through oral sexual contact. Both types are managed with the same antiviral medications. Having HSV-1 (cold sores) does not protect against genital HSV-2 infection, and vice versa.
Many STIs are curable with antibiotic treatment — including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis. Others, such as HIV and herpes, are lifelong but very effectively managed with medication. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes across all STIs and prevents onward transmission. Regular testing is the most important step you can take for your sexual health.
Rapid, confidential testing from £25 per test. Results in 5 minutes. No GP referral, no waiting. Book today at Ready Health, Standish, Wigan.