PREVIEW Acorn STI Complete
STI Complete screen

Discreet private STI testing, near Cardiff

One appointment screens for 14 sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, hepatitis B and C and more, from a urine or swab sample plus a small blood sample. Results in about 48 hours. Self-refer at our Penarth or Cowbridge clinics near Cardiff.

★★★★★ 4.9 from 376 Google reviews
Self-refer, no GP needed Confidential and HIW regulated Results in about 48 hours
£ 164
All inclusive.
Fourteen infections, one visit.
Results in ~48 hours Emailed to you only No referral

What is included for £164

  • Private appointment at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff
  • Urine or swab sample for 10 infections, taken discreetly
  • Small blood sample for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis
  • Plain-English report with every result, in about 48 hours
  • Anything positive flagged clearly, with next steps explained
  • Emailed to you and nobody else unless you ask
14infections screened
£164all inclusive
48hrtypical turnaround
2clinics near Cardiff
Why test with Acorn

Know for certain, and know quickly

Most sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms at all, so testing is the only way to be sure. This screen covers 14 of them in a single private appointment, with results back in around 48 hours rather than the weeks a wait can sometimes take.

Genuinely confidential

Your results are emailed to you and nobody else. We do not write to your NHS GP unless you ask us to.

One visit, both samples

The urine or swab sample and the blood sample are taken in the same appointment, so there is only one trip to make.

A doctor if you need one

If anything comes back positive, you can book a private GP appointment to go through what it means and what happens next.

Who it is for

Worth testing if any of this sounds familiar

Plenty of people book this test with no symptoms whatsoever. Peace of mind is a perfectly good reason.

A new partner, or a new relationship starting
Sex without a condom, or a condom that failed
Discharge, pain when passing urine, itching or sores
A partner has told you they have tested positive
A routine check, simply to know where you stand
Wanting a wider screen than a basic two-infection test

Most sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms, so feeling well does not mean you are clear. If your symptoms are severe, painful or getting worse, please see a doctor promptly rather than waiting for a test result.

What is screened

Fourteen infections, two samples

Ten infections are found from a urine or swab sample, and four blood-borne viruses from a small blood sample. Both are taken in the same appointment. Tap a group to see what is included.

Urine or swab sample 10
Chlamydia trachomatisNeisseria gonorrhoeaeSyphilis (lesion or urine)Herpes Simplex IHerpes Simplex IITrichomonas vaginalisMycoplasma hominisMycoplasma genitaliumUreaplasma urealyticumChancroid
Blood-borne viruses 4
HIV 1 & 2 / p24 antigenHepatitis B surface antigenHepatitis C antibodiesSyphilis antibodies (IgG/IgM)

This screen needs both a urine or swab sample and a small blood sample. Your report lists every infection tested with a clear positive or negative result.

Unique to Acorn in South Wales

Difficult veins? We find them with ultrasound

Part of this screen needs a blood sample. If you have fragile or hard-to-find veins and have had failed attempts before, our consultant radiologists can take it under real-time ultrasound. It is the only such service in South Wales, and patients travel to us from across Wales and the West for it.

Radiologist-led, using real-time ultrasound to locate a suitable vein.
One sitting, so no repeat trips for a failed draw.
Mention it when you book and we will allow time for it.
Call to discuss your case
★★★★★

Nobody had managed to take my blood in years without several attempts. Here it was done first time with the ultrasound. Such a relief.

Verified Google review
How it works

From booking to answers, step by step

1

Book

Self-refer online or by phone. No GP letter and no explanation needed. Same-week appointments at Penarth or Cowbridge.

2

Your appointment

About 20 minutes. You give a urine sample or a swab in private, and we take a small blood sample. Try not to pass urine for an hour or two beforehand.

3

Your report

A clear result for each of the 14 infections, emailed to you in about 48 hours. Anything positive is flagged plainly, with no jargon.

4

Next steps

Optional: book a private GP appointment to talk through any positive result and what to do about it.

One price, everything in

STI Complete screen

£164

All inclusive. Fourteen infections, both samples, one appointment.

  • Private appointment at Penarth or Cowbridge
  • Urine or swab sample plus a small blood sample
  • Clear result for every infection, emailed in about 48 hours
  • Ultrasound-guided draw available for difficult veins

A £50 booking deposit secures your slot and comes off the total.

FAQ

Common questions about STI testing

How much is the STI Complete test?

£164 all inclusive. That covers the appointment, both samples, all 14 infections listed above, and a plain-English report emailed to you. A £50 deposit secures your appointment and comes off the total.

Which infections does it screen for?

From a urine or swab sample: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis from a lesion or urine, herpes simplex I and II, trichomonas, mycoplasma hominis, mycoplasma genitalium, ureaplasma urealyticum and chancroid. From a blood sample: HIV 1 and 2 with p24 antigen, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibodies and syphilis antibodies.

Do I really need to give both a urine and a blood sample?

Yes. The blood-borne viruses (HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis antibodies) can only be detected in blood, while the other ten are found from a urine sample or a swab. Both are taken in the same appointment, so it is still only one visit.

How soon after possible exposure should I test?

Each infection has its own window period, which is the time it takes to become detectable. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are usually reliable after about two weeks, while HIV, syphilis and hepatitis can take up to twelve weeks to show. Testing too early can give a falsely reassuring result. If you are unsure how long to wait, call us on 029 2199 9300 and we will advise, and you may need a repeat test later to be certain.

How quickly will I get my results?

Usually within about 48 hours. Your report gives a clear result for each infection tested, with anything positive flagged plainly. We will confirm timing when you book.

Is this confidential?

Yes. Your results are emailed to you and to nobody else. We do not write to your NHS GP unless you specifically ask us to. You do not need to give a reason for booking.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. This is a self-refer test. Book online or call 029 2199 9300.

Do I need to prepare for the appointment?

Try not to pass urine for one to two hours before your appointment, as the first part of the stream gives the most reliable sample. No fasting is needed. If a swab is more appropriate than urine in your case, our clinician will explain that on the day.

What happens if something comes back positive?

You will not be left to work it out alone. Book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will explain the result, discuss treatment and talk through telling recent partners, which matters because most of these infections are straightforward to treat once found.

Where is the test done?

At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, CF64 2AD) or our Cowbridge clinic (10 High Street, CF71 7AG). Both are a short drive from Cardiff with easy parking, and both have private rooms.

Want a doctor to talk it through?

Whether your results are all clear or something needs treating, you can book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will explain what it means and what to do next. No awkwardness, no judgement.

Book a GP appointment
Where to find us

Two clinics, close to Cardiff

Penarth Clinic

13 Washington Buildings
Stanwell Road, Penarth
CF64 2AD

Mon to Thu 9:00 to 18:00
Fri 9:00 to 17:00
Sat 9:00 to 15:00

Get directions

Cowbridge Clinic

Beauty Within
10 High Street, Cowbridge
CF71 7AG

By appointment. Please call for availability.

Get directions

Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Penarth, Cowbridge, Barry, Newport, Bridgend and across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Important: A negative result reflects the infections tested at the time of testing, and each infection has a window period during which it may not yet be detectable. If you may have been exposed recently, a repeat test may be needed to be certain. Results are most useful when reviewed by a doctor, so we recommend discussing them with your own GP or booking a private GP appointment with us before acting on any finding. Lab values alone do not constitute medical advice, and this test does not replace a medical assessment.

Testing is the only way to know.

Self-refer for the STI Complete screen: 14 infections checked in one discreet appointment, results in about 48 hours. £164 all inclusive at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff.