Book an appointment

We work really hard to make it as easy as possible to access the high quality sexual health care you deserve. Because we are the only sexual health clinic in Victoria, we receive many phones calls each day and we recognize that it can, at times, be difficult and frustrating to try and get through on our phone lines. Please be assured we are doing everything possible to try and address these concerns and improve access to appointments. We appreciate your patience.

The Clinic logo: The Clinic at Island Sexual Health, community health centre.

We are an appointment based clinic and do not accept walk-in patients. If you are booking/cancelling/rescheduling an appointment for someone else, please be aware that we require you to have all of the personal (including birth date and personal health number) and contact information (address, phone number and/or email address) for the person you are booking the appointment for. We are not able to book/cancel/reschedule an appointment if complete information is not provided each and every time.

Book by phone

  • Birth/bleed control methods
  • IUD and implant insertions, replacements and removal
  • Cervical (Pap) Screening
  • Sexually Transmitted Infection issues such as:
    • Symptoms that you think may be related to a STI
    • If you are a contact to an STI
    • If you need treatment for an STI
  • Pregnancy Testing and Pro-choice options
  • Gender Affirming Care (Please note, as of 18 May 2023, we are temporarily unable to accept new clients for hormone assessment, surgical care planning or gender affirming primary care. Please contact TransCare BC 1-866-999-1514 to be directed to an available GAC provider in your community.) We are still providing gender affirming apparel appointments.
  • PrEP starts
  • PEP starts and renewals
  • Sexual health vaccines/immunizations

When you book your appointment by phone the receptionist will take your legal name and other contact information (home address, phone number, and/or email address) including your Care Card (or other province’s health) number. Because we use MSP for medical services, we require a client’s legal name and a current method of contacting them for follow up in order to book an appointment.

All appointments are private and confidential

  • Mon: 9 am – 4 pm (phones 9-12 and 1-4)
  • Tues: 9 am – 4 pm (phones 9-12 and 1-4)
  • Wed: 9 am – 8 pm (phones 9-12 and 1-4)
  • Thurs: 9 am – 8 pm (phones 9-12 and 1-4)
  • Fri: 9 am – 4 pm (phones 9-12 and 1-4)
  • Sat: CLOSED
  • Sun and Statutory Holidays: CLOSED

Clinic processes

Our clinics are fragrance-free spaces. Thank you for not wearing any of the following during your visit: cologne, after-shave lotion, perfume, perfumed hand lotion, fragranced hair products, and/or similar products. Our chemically sensitive co-workers and clients thank you.

  1. If we have booked an in-clinic appointment with you and you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, we ask you to wear a medical mask for your entire visit.  We will provide you with a medical grade mask up on entry to the clinic if it’s needed. If you do not have respiratory symptoms, you are not required to wear a mask but you more than welcome to.

Supply/Medication Pick Up

  1. We offer product pickup between 12-4 pm Monday – Friday. You are welcome to pick up clinician ordered testing kits/treatment medications* at our Quadra Street clinic Monday-Friday between 9 am-4 pmWe are CLOSED Saturday, Sunday and Statutory Holidays. *Please note: We do not offer testing kits or treatment medications without an ISHS clinician’s prior orders.

What types of questions will I be asked?

All your information will be kept confidential. We do not share any information unless you ask us to, and we will not phone you without your permission.

  • The receptionist will confirm basic information such as your legal name (or the name your medical coverage is linked to), address (if applicable), phone number, email address and personal health number (if applicable). If you use a different name than appears on your personal health card, please let us know and we will make note of this on your file. You will receive a text reminder of your appointment the day before.
  • The nurse/doctor will ask questions about your general health and sexual activity to best understand your sexual health care needs, such as “Are you currently sexually active?”; “Have you had any new partners since your last visit?”; “What type(s) of sex do you and your partner(s) have?”; “What parts of your body do you use for sex?” “Are you using any medications? ” and “Are you having any symptoms?”
  • Remember that you are always welcome to ask questions.  Feel free to bring a list of questions with you if that helps!

Who will I talk to?

  • Receptionist: Your first stop to set up a personalized file for you and go over some clinic information.
  • Product Sales: A staff member will sell you any products you have been prescribed or wish to purchase.
  • Doctor/Nurse:  The doctor will ask questions about your medical and sexual health history.
    • For Clients wanting birth control:
      • New prescriptions for pill/patch/ring/shot; The Doctor/Nurse will give you a prescription for three months to give you time to adjust to the method. Usually follow up prescriptions are written to provide a 6 month supply.
      • IUD pre-screen appointments require pelvic exam unless you’ve recently been pre-screened elsewhere.
    • For Clients who want/require an exam or testing
      • Depending on the type of testing you require, the Dr/nurse may perform a physical exam and specimen collection during the appointment or have you provide sample/self swab and/or give you a requisition to go to a lab following your appointment.

What can I expect during a visit to the clinic?

  • If you are coming in for a repeat prescription, consult, exam or testing, after checking in at reception, you’ll be taken into an exam room to see the nurse or Doctor you’re booked with.
    • We often utilize the services of clinic assistants to help support you (the client) and assist the health care professional with the exam process. If you wish to not have a chaperone with you during an exam, please advise us.
  • If you want to begin a method of birth/bleed control, you will see a doctor/nurse who can prescribe it to you. You will not have to have a physical exam on your first visit unless you request/require it.

Special Requests

If you have special requests for your appointment (i.e. to use a different name, to see a specific doctor/nurse, language, or accessibility needs) please indicate when you call us and we will be happy to try and facilitate this for you!

Confidentiality Policies

All of our clinics are private and confidential. We recognize the importance of privacy and sensitivity with sexual health issues. Parents, partners, friends, employers, etc. do not have access to your information or knowledge of your attendance at our clinic. The confidentiality of people under the age of 19 is protected under the BC Infants Act. We are not an anonymous clinic and therefore require clients to register using their legal name and current contact information.

All of the health care professionals and volunteers working with ISH have completed confidentiality training and agreements.

We follow the guidelines concerning duty to report that have been created by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. We are required by law to confidentially report:

  • positive results for certain sexually transmitted infections to public health
  • disclosures of harm to self or others
  • child abuse or neglect
  • information as required by a court of law or other legal proceedings.

For more information or if you have concerns, please ask a staff member.

At Island Sexual Health, unless you are an attached primary care patient, our clinical services are limitied to sexual health. Our doctors and nurses are not able to investigate, diagnose, and/or treat clients at Island Sexual Health for non-related sexual health related issues. Please visit a walk in clinic or family physician for your non-related sexual health concerns.