How the test is done

Sexual health clinics are the most reliably confidential parts of the National Health Service. You can read more about confidentiality of medical records on namlife.org. Sometimes people worry that if they have an HIV test, the sexual health clinic will inform their employer, or the Home Office or their family - this is not the case.

Informing your GP

If you turn out to be HIV-positive, your HIV doctor may recommend that you let your GP know. However the choice is yours, and the HIV clinic cannot tell the GP without your permission.

Your GP can help with health needs that aren't related to HIV.

If you don't disclose your HIV status to your GP, then this may prevent you from receiving the best care. For example, if you are taking HIV drugs, it's important to consider potential interactions with other medications.

There's more information about GPs and confidentiality on namlife.org.

Informing other doctors in the hospital

If you are referred to any other departments within the hospital, the specialists there will probably be told that you are HIV-positive. This is then likely to go into your general hospital notes, which may be less confidential than those kept in the sexual health clinic. The result may then be available to any doctor or nurse who sees your case notes. You may wish to speak to a senior doctor to make sure how confidential your records will be.

Deciding who to tell

Making decisions about who to tell that you are HIV-positive can be difficult. Your clinic, or a local HIV organisation will be able to offer you support in making these decisions.

Telling people you are close to, such as family and friends, can be a really important source of support. You can read more about telling people you’re HIV-positive on namlife.org.