Sexual Health Services

FREE NHS SERVICES WITH UMBRELLA

As an Umbrella partner pharmacy we provide free NHS sexual health services for Birmingham and Solihull, from emergency contraception and free condoms to STI self-test kits. Everything is confidential, judgement-free and delivered in our private consultation room. Walk straight in, or book a time that suits you.

Free NHS-funded services in partnership with Umbrella, the sexual health service for Birmingham and Solihull. Walk-ins always welcome.
  • Walk in or book
  • Private and confidential
  • Sorted on the spot
  • Free, NHS-funded
  • Completely confidential
  • No judgement, ever

The service

What is Umbrella, and what do we provide?

Umbrella is the NHS sexual health service for Birmingham and Solihull, and partner pharmacies like ours are its walk-in front door across the city. That means you can get free sexual health services right here in Erdington, without travelling to a clinic, for the everyday things that keep you safe and sorted.

Everything below is free, confidential and handled in our private consultation room by our pharmacist. For anything a pharmacy cannot do, such as full clinic examinations or specialist treatment, we connect you to Umbrella’s clinics quickly, so you are never left working out the system alone.

Free services here

Sexual health, sorted at your pharmacy

Every service below is free and confidential. Walk in and ask at the counter for a private word, or book ahead if you prefer, and our pharmacist takes it from there in the consultation room.

Emergency contraception

Free, same day

The morning after pill, free and supplied on the spot after a short private consultation. It works best the sooner it is taken, so come in today rather than tomorrow.

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Free condoms

No cost, no fuss

Free condoms through the Umbrella scheme, without cost or awkwardness getting in the way of using them. Just ask at the counter for a private word.

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Free STI test kits

Self-sampling

Pick up a free self-sampling kit from us, take your samples privately at home, post them off, and get your results discreetly by text. No examination, no waiting room.

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Chlamydia treatment

Free treatment

Tested positive for chlamydia? Where commissioned, treatment is provided free at the pharmacy after a short consultation, with advice on partners and retesting.

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Ongoing contraception

Pill, free

Start, switch or continue the contraceptive pill free through our NHS contraception service, with the health checks done here and up to twelve months of supply once settled.

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Advice and signposting

Just ask

Not sure what you need? Come and talk it through. Our pharmacist gives straight answers and connects you to Umbrella’s clinics for anything a pharmacy cannot do.

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Simple and quick

How it works

Walk in or book

Walk in to Erdington Community Pharmacy at 213 High Street whenever we are open, or book online. At the counter, just ask for a private consultation, you never need to say why in front of anyone.

Private and confidential

Our pharmacist sees you in the private consultation room, listens without judgement, and sorts what you came for, whether that is emergency contraception, a test kit, condoms or advice.

Sorted on the spot

Most things are handled there and then, free of charge. Where a clinic is the right place instead, we connect you to Umbrella’s services directly so the next step is already arranged.

These services are NHS-funded through Umbrella and free to you. They are confidential at every age, and our pharmacist follows the same national safeguarding and confidentiality guidance as GPs and sexual health clinics.

Good to know

Come and see us if

  • You need emergency contraception after unprotected sex or contraception failure
  • You want to get tested, whether you have symptoms, a new partner, or just peace of mind
  • You want free condoms without cost or awkwardness getting in the way
  • You are not sure what you need and want someone sensible to talk it through with

When you need more than a pharmacy

A few situations need a clinic or urgent care rather than a pharmacy, and speed matters for some of them.

  • If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, go to a sexual health clinic or A&E immediately and ask about PEP, a time-critical medicine that can prevent infection
  • Painful sores, testicular pain, pelvic pain or unusual bleeding need a clinic assessment, and we will point you straight to Umbrella’s services
  • Severe one-sided lower tummy pain with a missed period needs urgent same-day care
  • If you have experienced sexual assault, specialist confidential support is available whether or not you involve the police, and our pharmacist can help you connect with it

Call 999 in an emergency. For urgent advice any time, call NHS 111. For clinics, opening times and online test kit ordering, Umbrella’s own website has everything in one place.

Your local pharmacy

Why Erdington Community Pharmacy

Umbrella partner pharmacy

We deliver these services in partnership with Umbrella, the NHS sexual health service for Birmingham and Solihull, following the same protocols as every partner site.

GPhC-registered pharmacy

Premises No. 1107990, under Superintendent Pharmacist Mohammad Luqman Ghani (GPhC 2220694).

Private consultation room

Every conversation happens in a private room at 213 High Street, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 6SS. Nothing is discussed at the counter.

Common questions

Sexual health FAQs

Are these services really free?
Yes, all of them. They are NHS-funded through Umbrella, the sexual health service for Birmingham and Solihull, so there is nothing to pay for emergency contraception, condoms, test kits or treatment we provide under the scheme. No hidden charges, no minimum anything.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in whenever we are open and ask at the counter for a private consultation, you never need to explain why within earshot of anyone. Booking online works too if you prefer a set time, and either way you are seen in the private room.
How do the STI test kits work?
You collect a free kit from us, or order one to your home from Umbrella’s website. You take your own samples privately, which depending on the kit can include a urine sample, swabs or a small finger-prick blood sample, post it in the prepaid envelope, and results arrive discreetly by text. Bear in mind some infections take a couple of weeks after exposure to show on a test, so the kit guidance covers timing.
What happens if my test comes back positive?
You will be contacted discreetly with clear next steps, and treatment is arranged quickly, some of it right here at the pharmacy, the rest through Umbrella’s clinics. Most STIs are straightforward to treat, and finding out is always better than wondering. Recent partners will need testing too, and Umbrella can handle that notification anonymously if you prefer.
Is it confidential, even if I am under 16?
Yes. Sexual health services are confidential at every age, and our pharmacist follows the same national guidance as GPs and sexual health clinics. If you are under 16, the pharmacist will chat with you privately to make sure you understand the service and are safe, exactly as a clinic would, and will not routinely tell parents or anyone else.
How do the free condoms work?
Simply ask at the counter for a private word and we will sort you out through the Umbrella scheme, no questions that matter, no receipt shame, no cost. Running out or affording them should never be the reason anyone goes unprotected in Birmingham.
I had unprotected sex, what should I do and when?
Three things, in order of urgency. If there is any chance of HIV exposure, get to a sexual health clinic or A&E within 72 hours and ask about PEP. If pregnancy is possible, come to us for free emergency contraception as soon as you can, ideally within 24 hours. Then test for STIs at the right time, which for many infections means a couple of weeks after, and we will give you the kit and the timings.

Free, confidential, and right on your high street

Emergency contraception, free condoms, STI test kits and honest advice, all free through Umbrella at your local pharmacy. Walk in whenever we are open, or book a time that suits you.