Skip to main content

Sexual health

On this page

NHS Highland provides a range of sexual health services, also known as sexual and reproductive health services.

For some of these sexual health services, there are differences in how they are provided in the Highland HSCP area and in the Argyll and Bute HSCP area of NHS Highland. Generally, people living in one area cannot access sexual health services in the other area. Where services differ between areas, this is shown in these pages.

Sexual and reproductive health services in each area

We offer general information and advice about sexual health, sexuality and healthy relationships in each NHS Highland area.

Sexual and reproductive health services in the Highland area

Sexual health clinics

Sexual health clinics run throughout the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership area and provide a free, confidential, one-stop service for Highland residents. Our clinic nurses and doctors are specially trained in sexual health and contraception. Their aim is to help everyone in a friendly, non-judgemental and sensitive way.

The Highland Sexual Health website has further resources, including information about:

Sexual health services at GP practices

GP practices are able to provide routine free condoms.

Sexual and reproductive health services in the Argyll and Bute area

For general information and advice in the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership area regarding:

... speak to your GP or practice nurse. If you are a young person, you could speak to a school nurse or youth worker.

Some GP practices are able to provide:

Many practices offer coil and implant insertions, and some may be able to offer those for patients who are not registered with them. Condoms may be available on request.

More complex sexual health issues and contraception

In Argyll and Bute, there are three GP practices (available to anyone living in the area) that provide more specialised sexual health services with an enhanced level of care and expertise. They may be able to offer more choice in contraceptive options. They are:

You do not need to be registered with any of these practices to get an appointment to speak to a practitioner about your sexual and reproductive health. Practitioners at these services will have a special interest and training in this area of work.

In order to access sexual health services at these practices please phone ahead to make an appointment - they do not have open or drop-in clinics. You will need to state when calling that you wish to make an appointment to discuss your sexual and reproductive health.

Occasionally people may need to be referred to a specialist sexual health centre and your doctor will arrange this.

Whether you see your own GP practice or a specialist service, this is a confidential service.

See a list of sexual health clinics in NHS Highland.

Important: Sexual health information at NHS inform

NHS Inform Logo

Information about sexual health including:

  • contraception
  • sexually transmitted infections
  • healthy relationships
  • sexual health services
  • reproductive health
Read more at NHS inform about sexual health and wellbeing

For parents, carers and those supporting children and young people

the Chat at thechat.scot is a resource created by a partnership of NHS Boards in Scotland for parents and carers, to help support children as they learn about friendships, relationships and growing up. The information is divided into topics and answers are given depending on the age of your child and the questions they ask.

This information was developed by speaking to parents and carers about their experiences of supporting their child’s learning at home. One of the things we found was that parents wanted a one stop shop just like this, to help them support conversations with their child.

Relationships, sexual health and parenthood

For information about Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP), and when it is taught in schools, we would advise the use of the RSHP resource website.

This provides a comprehensive set of learning activities for use in early learning settings, primary and secondary schools, ASN settings, colleges and in community-based learning. The resource is structured in line with Curriculum for Excellence Levels.

The RSHP resource has been developed by a partnership of local authorities and health boards, with advice from Education Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Last updated: 20 May 2026

Next review date: 17 May 2027