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What happens when you call our phoneline?



We are a pan Dorset service specialising in contraception, sexual health and HIV. Across Dorset we have six clinic venues offering appointments from Monday to Friday.

When you call our phoneline you will have options given to you:

  1. Services in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch
  2. Services in Weymouth, Blandford, Bridport and Portland

Due to high demand, you may have to sit in a queue and an automated voice will let you know where you are in the queue.

When a member of staff is available, the administration team will answer your call and ask you what service you require. The administration team will do their best to accommodate you, but our appointments are limited and they are not trained clinicians to assess you fully. If they are concerned that you need clinical advice, they will ask a trained nurse or health adviser to call you back. This may take up to one week depending on your need.

The team can only make appointments for contraception, HIV services and if you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you would like an STI test for other reasons, please go to our website https://sexualhealthdorset.org/ to request an online kit for free that can be sent to any address of your choice.

Appointments will be made according to your need:

  • Contraception – next available appointment
  • STI treatment – within one week
  • Symptoms of an STI – within 48 hours (these are very limited and you may be asked to call back on another day if all the appointments have been taken)
  • Termination service – you will be referred to the central booking line number 0300 456 2217
  • HIV – next available appointment
  • PrEP – next available appointment
  • Emergencies – same day or a phone call from a trained clinician if there are no appointments available

Once your appointment has been made, you will receive a text confirming the date and time of your appointment. Most people attend their appointment or either cancel via the appointment text or call 0300 303 1948 to rearrange.

The administration team work hard to answer your calls as soon as they can and are here to support you. Please be respectful of their time. Rude or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Tel: 0300 303 1948

Open 08:15-16:45 Monday-Friday (closed 12:30-13:30 for lunch)

Please note Sexual Health Dorset will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025.

If you have an urgent enquiry when we are closed, please call NHS 111 or attend your local Emergency Department.

To view our opening hours over the holiday period, please click here.