Welcome to the London Sexual Health Programme.
The London Sexual Health Programme is a collaborative initiative dedicated to improving sexual health services across London through strategic commissioning, partnership working, and innovation, including the online e-service, Sexual Health London (SHL.UK).
About Us
A partnership of 31 London local authorities
The London Sexual Health Programme (LSHP) is a collaborative partnership of 31 London local authorities, hosted by the City of London Corporation, working closely with the NHS to ensure high-quality, accessible sexual health services for all. At a time when public health funding to local councils has been reduced, LSHP remains committed to innovation and efficiency, developing sustainable solutions that enhance service delivery, improve access for residents, and support the long-term health and wellbeing of London’s diverse communities.
As a result of changes introduced by the LSHP, people can order free, easy-to-use STI home testing kits, to be posted to their homes through the Sexual Health London service.
Photo credit: Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC)
Image description: Person holds phone in hands, on phone is the SHL.UK home page.
Image description: Man is presenting to a room of people sat around tables, looking at a screen with presentation on it.
Our Partners
31 London Authorities
15 NHS trusts
Preventx (working with Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and LloydsOnlineDoctor)
Pathway Analytics
We also collaborate with London Councils, Office for Health Improvement and Disparity, UK Health Security Agency, The Greater London Authority, London HIV Prevention Programme, Fast Track Cities, ASSIST, The Love Tank and Grindr, with more collaborations to come.
Our Work
Since its inception, the London Sexual Health Programme has led a transformative shift in the delivery of sexual health services. The partnership has pioneered an innovative, sustainable model that aligns with evolving clinical guidelines, responds to the growing preference for online access, and harnesses new technologies to enhance convenience for residents while delivering significant efficiencies for commissioners.
Image description: The SHL sexual health testing kit is displayed on a white surface, containing various medical components.
Sexual Health London - SHL.UK
Sexual Health London (SHL.UK) is an online service commissioned by 30 London local authorities, designed to provide fast, convenient, and confidential sexual health support. The service is intended for individuals without symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other health needs that require an in-person clinic visit.
To ensure safe and appropriate care, users must complete a clinical triage when registering. Eligible users receive a self-sampling kit, dispatched the same or next day, with results available within two days of returning a completed kit. If symptoms, risks, or other clinical concerns are identified, users are redirected to a clinic for further assessment. For those flagged as potentially vulnerable or in need of safeguarding, the SHL.UK clinical team provides direct support, offering guidance, referrals, and assistance in accessing the right services.
In addition to STI testing, 17 London authorities also offer residents access to routine and emergency contraception through the online service.
The introduction of SHL.UK represents one of the most significant innovations in sexual health service delivery in decades. It has redefined accessibility and efficiency, making London a leader in digital sexual health provision—both nationally and internationally.
Cross Charging, Tariff Development and Open Access Clinics
London has the highest levels of sexual health need in the country, with over a million clinic attendances each year. Given the city’s open-access model, many service users seek care across borough boundaries, creating a complex funding landscape. To address this, the London Sexual Health Programme introduced the Integrated Sexual Health Tariff (ISHT)—a payment mechanism designed to ensure fair and efficient reimbursement for care provided in clinics.
The ISHT underpins a high-quality, sustainable, and patient-centred approach to sexual health services across London. By promoting an integrated model that combines sexual health and contraception services, it ensures that care is delivered in a way that best supports both individual needs and public health priorities.
Maintaining open access remains central to the LSHP’s vision. The tariff helps sustain a system where anyone can receive the care they need, regardless of where they live. This includes digital services through shl.uk, providing greater convenience and choice for service users.
At the same time, the ISHT safeguards affordability and value for money for commissioning authorities while ensuring the long-term sustainability of NHS providers. By promoting the consistent use of clinical best practice care pathways, it guarantees that Londoners receive safe, effective, and evidence-based care.
For further details on the Integrated Sexual Health Tariff, please click here.
Research
Sexual Health London is at the forefront of digital sexual health innovation, with its research contributing to national and international discussions on best practices in sexual health service delivery. Findings from SHL.UK have been presented at leading conferences, including the British HIV Association (BHIVA), the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), Fast-Track Cities, and the STI and HIV World Congress.
A recent four-year evaluation of SHL.UK's online testing pathway, published in BMJ STI , highlights its significant impact on increasing access to sexual health services and improving the detection rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea. This research underscores the effectiveness of digital pathways in enhancing public health outcomes.
For more insights, explore a selection of SHL.UK’s research.
Proudly Working With…
