Southeast Public Health to temporarily reduce sexual health services to focus on merging teams

Brockville – As Southeast Public Health (SEPH) works to merge its teams across the southeast region, some services are being temporarily ramped down to give staff time to integrate into their new teams.

Starting October 27, sexual health clinics at SEPH offices in Gananoque, Perth, and Carleton Place will be paused, sexual health clinic hours in Kemptville and Almonte will be reduced, and sexual health clinic hours in Kingston and Belleville may be reduced.

Currently, SEPH is working to integrate staff members from across legacy agencies into region-wide teams to ensure that all southeast residents receive equitable and consistent services across the SEPH coverage area.

“This is a major step forward in our merger process. We’ve agreed to reduce some services to allow staff time to transition to new teams and roles, and to ensure we can deliver critical public health services during this time of transition,” said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for SEPH’s West region.

Sexual health services continue to be offered at SEPH offices across the southeast region. Check online to see which clinics’ dates, times, and sexual health services are available in your area:

• Hastings Prince Edward region: Sexual Health Clinics
• Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington region: Sexual Health Clinics
• Leeds, Grenville and Lanark region: Sexual Health Clinics

If you are affected by these service reductions and you require urgent sexual health services, please reach out to your primary care provider or a local walk-in or virtual care clinic.

You can access free sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) testing, including Syphilis and HIV, through GetaKit by visiting the following link: GetaKit.ca

GetaKit is a study from the University of Ottawa, done in partnership with public health units in Ontario, that offers access to lab-based testing for (STIs) and HIV for people in Ontario.

Please reach out to our Sexual Health Team if you have any questions about these changes: 613-345-5685 extension 2005