References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
All legitimate STI testing in the UK — whether at an NHS sexual health clinic, through home kits or at private services — is confidential. Your results won’t be shared with your GP, family, friends or employer without your consent. UK law protects sexual health information strongly, and services are designed to make testing easy and private.
Here’s how confidentiality works in practice.
Order a discreet home STI test
NHS Sexual Health Clinic Confidentiality
NHS sexual health clinics have extra legal protection under the NHS (Venereal Diseases) Regulations 1974. This means:
- Records are kept separate from your GP records
- Information cannot be shared without your consent
- You can use a pseudonym in some cases
- No information goes to insurers or employers
- Parents are not informed for young people over 16 (or under, if they have capacity to consent)
Home Test Kit Confidentiality
- Kits arrive in plain packaging
- Results are delivered by secure methods (text, email, app)
- Your data is held by the testing provider according to their privacy policy
- The testing service doesn’t share results with anyone else
Private Clinic Confidentiality
- Private clinics are legally bound by data protection laws
- Results are not shared with the NHS or your employer
- You can usually choose how to receive results
GP Surgery
If you test at your GP, results do go on your GP record. This is still private and protected, but if you prefer results not to appear on your GP file, a sexual health clinic or home kit is a better choice.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
There are very limited exceptions where information may be shared:
- Court order requiring disclosure
- Serious and imminent risk to another identifiable person
- Safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults
- Legal requirements for notifiable diseases (rare in practice for sexual health)
Even in these cases, only the minimum necessary information is shared.
Partner Notification
If you test positive, you’ll be asked to notify recent sexual partners. This is:
- Voluntary
- Confidential — clinics can contact partners without revealing your identity
- Important for public health and preventing further spread
Young People
Young people (including under-16s who have capacity to consent) can access sexual health services confidentially without parental involvement. Services follow Fraser/Gillick guidelines for young people.
Tips for Maximum Privacy
- Use a personal phone and email for communications
- Consider home testing if you live with others
- Ask the clinic how they’ll contact you with results
- Check the delivery address and packaging for home kits
- Use NHS sexual health services rather than GP for most sensitive issues
Read more: Discreet STI testing | UK confidentiality law | Private STI testing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will STI testing appear on my GP record?
Only if you test at your GP. NHS sexual health clinic tests are kept separate from GP records.
Can my employer find out?
No. Sexual health information is protected from disclosure to employers.
Will my parents be told if I test at a clinic?
No. Young people can access confidential sexual health services without parental involvement.
Related reading
- How Accurate Are Rapid HIV Tests?
- Anonymous STI Testing: What It Means
- Are HIV Tests Accurate If You're on PrEP, PEP or ART?
- Are STI Blood Tests Accurate?
- Before You Get Intimate: Why You Should Ask About STI Testing
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
