"Very odd experience "

I recently used the in person STI testing service. I usually use the postal service but my samples became unusable over the bank holiday weekend so I went in person instead.

I found the level of questioning really invasive and far beyond what I have experienced before, what I need to do for online tests of what my partner experienced at their local clinic and subsequently a friend experienced at a different clinic. Neither were questioned in the way I was. I seemed to be asked questions for statistical research as part of the appointment and not as a separate session (I was asked what town in southern England I was physically in the last time I had sex and when I questioned why this had an impact on my sexual health I was told it was for statistical purposes). I didn't feel that the nurse in my appointment was free of judgement either.

The nurse appeared inexperienced with taking blood samples and took a very long time to do it. I have to have blood tests every six months for a medical condition and the phlebotomist never has issues, but I was told my veins were too small, she took the sample very badly middle of my forearm which later swelled and bruised very badly and was very painful, I was concerned I might need to seek medical attention for it.

If I need to have an in person appointment again I will be finding a different clinic to use.