New sexual health walk-in clinic available soon

A new sexual health walk-in clinic will offer Islanders another way to access sexual health services, including testing.

Starting tomorrow (July 10), Health PEI will run a free monthly sexual health walk-in clinic that will offer services including sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection testing. No appointment is required and individuals will be seen by a nurse practitioner or registered nurse.  

“In recent years, we have made tremendous progress in expanding access to sexual health programs and services across the province that support the well-being of Islanders,” Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell said. “Sexual health, including testing, is an important aspect of a person’s overall health. The new clinic is another option for individuals to access safe, confidential, and supportive care.”

The sexual health walk-in clinic will be offered on a Tuesday evening each month from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., alternating between Summerside and Charlottetown as follows: 
•    July 10 -- Harbouside Health Centre (Summerside);
•    August 28 -- The Polyclinic (Charlottetown);
•    September 4 --  Harbourside Health Centre (Summerside);
•    October 9 -- The Polyclinic (Charlottetown);
•    November 13 -- Harbourside Health Centre (Summerside); and
•    December 11 -- The Polyclinic (Charlottetown).

Test results will take approximately one to two weeks, depending on the test. Confidential “non-nominal” testing (ordered without the individual’s name) is available. 

 “For those who are sexually active, getting tested is one of the most important things they can do to protect their health since sexually transmitted or blood-borne infections can have no symptoms,” said Rachelle Pike, manager of the Women’s Wellness Program and Sexual Health Services. “We recognize that there are some individuals who are reluctant to visit their primary care provider’s office or make an appointment to get tested. It is important that we support the sexual health of Islanders, and we are hoping that the new monthly walk-in clinic will be yet another option for Islanders.”

More information about sexual health services, including the sexual health walk-in clinic, is available at www.healthpei.ca/sexualhealth.  Islanders can also call the Women’s Wellness Program and Sexual Health Services toll-free at 1-844-365-8258.

Media contact:
Amanda Hamel
ajhamel@gov.pe.ca  

Backgrounder: 

The new monthly walk-in clinic expands on the by-appointment sexual health services already available to all genders, orientations and ages through the Women’s Wellness Program. 

Province-wide services include: 
•    sexual health education and counselling;
•    sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment;
•    birth control counselling and prescriptions;
•    pregnancy counselling, testing and support; and
•    abortion services (medical abortion and surgical abortion).

There were approximately 1,000 appointments for sexual health services in 2017-18, including more than 200 for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection testing.