Over the course of the pandemic, our organization has been undergoing renovations and upgrades and is transforming into the ‘Island Sexual Health Community Care Center’ to better holistically service the local community. These upgrades include providing the LGBTQ2S+ community with adequate resources. As such we are proud to announce the introduction of Gender Affirming Apparel at The Store at ISH.

We understand that these sorts of items are mostly available online – however fitting for such things (especially binders) is complex and if done wrong can come with complex health risks. We have created a system to provide COVID-19 safe in-person fittings: The store will be open during regular clinic hours for general access. However, we have opened up Monday and Wednesday evenings between 5-8-pm at the clinic for private, after-hours, in-store appointments for the LGBTQ2S+ community. You can book your appointment online now

This initial product roll-out includes a range of binders, packing underwear, and gaffs (including children’s gaffs) from local Vancouver company, Your Open Closet and hand-made, silicone packers from Queer-owned, New York Toy Collective.

We are also excited to stock art and products from local LGBTQ2s+ creators – please follow us on social media for real time updates.

This is just the beginning – and we are always open to and looking for community feedback.

 

We’re offering COVID Safe gender affirming fittings and bookings beginning November 9th.

Please call 250-592-3479 to set up an appointment for birth/bleed control, symptom screening and other sexual health care needs.

We wish to thank all of our staff, nurses, and physicians who are working really hard to ensure our patients are taken care of.

• – Alesse 28
• – Brevicon .5/35 & 1/35
• – Depo Provera
• – Min-Ovral 28

The amount of increase will vary depending on the product.

We are doing our best to provide generic alternatives at a lower cost. Please ask staff for more details.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please know that we do our very best to make supplies as accessible to our clients as possible.

We are proud members of Rapid Access IUC Centres of Excellence (RAICE) which provide access to quality care, collaboration and improved access to IUC.

If you are looking for an IUD somewhere in Canada, you can visit the RAICE website to find a clinic near you.

Island Sexual Health is a member of RAICE (Rapid Access IUD Centres of Excellence). RAICE is a network of clinics and health care providers across Canada who are experts in IUD insertion and care. 

RAICE clinics must meet the following criteria: 

(1) have an expert IUD insertion team; 

(2) accept patients making their own appointments without referral by their health care provider; 

(3) appointments for IUD discussion and insertion made quickly; 

(4) offer training in their communities to the public and/or to other health care providers; 

(5) are committed to continuously improving the care they provide; 

(6) must provide access to the copper IUD as emergency contraception.

Visit the website to find the nearest RAICE clinic near you. 

On August 9th, Painted Lotus are hosting a flash day offering Reproductive and Equality Themed Tattoos at specific donation points. First Come, First Served. All proceeds are going to Island Sexual Health.

We’re thrilled to announce that the incredible tattoo artists at Painted Lotus Studios are hosting a Flash Day on August 9th from 11-5 pm at their studio at 910 Gordon Street, Victoria.

All flash designs are “Reproductive and Equality themed” and will be available to view the day of.  9 Fantastic artists are providing design and tattoo work! There have been some “sneak peeks’ posted on the Painted Lotus IG feeds – keep checking it out!

Tattoos are available by donation of $80/$120/$200 price points. Clients will be served first come, first served from a lineup outside the studio. Please bring water and snacks to keep you tattoo ready while you wait.

Tattoos are available for folks 18+ with valid government issued photo ID.

All proceeds from the day will benefit Island Sexual Health and our clients! Huge gratitude to Gwen, Bubbles and the rest of the fantastic artists at Painted Lotus for choosing us and support sexual health rights and freedoms through art and expression.

Starting Today Monday, June 3^rd, ISH will be asking patients to identify in writing whether they have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and if so whether they’d like notes from their visit and/or results released to that provider. This change is being made so that we are in compliance with our physicians’ college guidelines, and also to ensure better continuity of care between patients who visit our clinic and their primary care providers.

Please note that we will ONLY release visit notes and/or results to your GP/NP if you **explicitly ask** that we do so, and our nurses and doctors will ask you about this at every visit – we understand that you might want some notes shared with your GP/NP and not others.

Thanks for helping us put this process in place. Your right to access confidential sexual health care services will always be our top priority.

For more info about the physicians’ college guidelines please see: https://www.cpsbc.ca/files/pdf/PSG-Walk-In-Urgent-Care-Multi-Physician-Clinics.pdf

Survey and details on entering the draw can be found here

All Survey Responses are confidential.

Thank you for helping us improve clinic services and access for folks of all genders and orientations.

Summary of Position

ISHS is seeking 2 new volunteer Board of Directors. This Director will be asked to attend at least 1 (one) meeting per month, more when committee meetings are deemed necessary. We are seeking candidates who are willing to make a minimum 2 year commitment. Directors at ISHS are automatically members of the society.

Director Responsibilities

Directors are voting members of the Board of Directors and are jointly responsible for the governance of the organization. More specifically this includes determining and monitoring the mission, mandate and values; ensuring services meet the mission, mandate and values of ISHS; approving and monitoring  strategic directions; ensuring the finances of ISHS are handled responsibly; and ensuring ISHS meets all of its legal obligations.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Understand and demonstrate a commitment to the organization’s mission and programs
• Keep up to date with issues and trends that affect the organization
• Prepare for meetings by reading agendas, minutes, reports and other documentation required to actively participate in them
• Attend meetings regularly
• Contribute skills and knowledge by participating actively in meetings and committee work
• Understand and monitor the organization’s financial affairs
• Avoid any potential conflicts of interest
• Understand and maintain confidentiality
• Ensure the organization is complying with all legal and regulatory requirements
• Participate in Board Committees as required

Please contact Bobbi Turner, Executive Director for further information.