Grey Bruce Public Health is keenly aware of the importance of sexual and reproductive health to a person’s overall health and well-being. It also recognizes that some residents, particularly those without a primary care provider, may face barriers to accessing timely sexual health services.

It’s for these reasons that Public Health is expanding its Sexual Health Clinic services to more communities in Grey-Bruce– to fill a gap in other sectors of the health system.

In January, GBPH began providing a weekly Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinic in Hanover. Starting this month, Public Health will be offering monthly Sexual Health Clinics in both Kincardine and Southampton.

These regular clinics are in addition to the existing weekly Sexual Health Clinics in both Owen Sound and Wiarton.

“Taking care of your sexual and reproductive health is critical to maintaining your overall health and well-being. However, we know that many people may have delayed seeking out services, such as testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or screening for cervical cancer, during the pandemic and that current strains on the healthcare system can make it difficult to get an appointment for routine matters, like getting a prescription for birth control,” says Gillian Jordan, Program Manager of Sexual Health at GBPH. “We hope that by expanding our sexual health services to more communities in Grey-Bruce, we can help to remove some of the barriers to accessing these services.”. A health card is not required for GBPH clinic services.

GBPH Sexual Health Clinic services are now available in:

· Owen Sound, Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Grey Bruce Public Health, 101 17th St. E.;

· Hanover, Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hanover Medical Associates Building, 118 7th Ave.;

· Kincardine, on the first Tuesday of each month from 4 to 8 p.m. at the CMHA building, 865 Queen St.;

· Southampton, on the third Tuesday of each month from 4 to 8 p.m. at the CMHA building, 353 High St.;

· Wiarton, on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Green House, 527 Berford St.

The expanded sites will be operating on a trial basis for now. Uptake will be an important factor in seeing these sites continue.

STI testing and treatment, low-cost contraceptives, pregnancy testing and counselling, and safe sex education and supplies are available at each of the clinics.

The Hanover clinic will be supported by a local Family Doctor, who will be offering expanded sexual and reproductive health services, including cervical cancer screening (Pap smear test), IUD insertion and removals, and more.

Public Health encourages anyone who is sexually active to make STI testing a part of their regular wellness routine, especially for those starting a new relationship, or seeing a new partner.

Appointments are preferred and same-day appointments are often available. Call Public Health at 519-376-9420 ext. 1256 or email [email protected] to book an appointment or for more information. Available clinic dates and times can also be found on the Sexual Health webpage at publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

source: media release