Research inspires women-only clinic

The Chandni Clinic provides STI screening and management and oral contraception services to women across North Kirklees.

It also aims to give women from all cultural backgrounds the chance to talk to a female doctor in their own language.

The women-only clinic was set up in the Chadwick Centre after an extensive education and research project into the healthcare needs of women in the Dewsbury area.

In 2007 research showed many Asian women found it difficult to approach health services, mainly because of the language barrier.

The issue of sexual health was particularly sensitive for many women because of complex religious, cultural and language issues.

A range of leaflets in Urdu produced by the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust led to a significant increase in Asian women attending the centre, but almost all wanted to see a female doctor or nurse.

Now the Chandni Clinic hopes to meet that need with its all-female team.

The clinic, led by Dr Safia Jabeen, offers appointments every Tuesday morning.

Patients do not need to be referred by their GP, and can make their own appointments by calling 01924 816120 or 01924 816121.