In BC, health services are organized by region (also known as Health Authorities). To find out what health region you live in, consult the following map. You can navigate to region-specific information pages for these different Health Authorities from the BC care pathways landing page, where you can also access HIV care and prevention information that is applicable across the province.
General HIV care and prevention information
- You can call to get support from Fraser Health’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Infection Team at 604-476-7087.
- At any time, you can call HealthLink BC at 811 to speak to a nurse and obtain non-emergency health information.
If your HIV self-test result is negative
Access to PrEP
- Any licensed doctor, or a nurse practitioner with training in treatment for HIV prevention in BC, can provide access to HIV PrEP (e.g., a daily oral HIV medication taken by people who are HIV-negative to prevent HIV infection); more information about PrEP can be found on the SmartSexResource website.
- If you are a potential HIV PrEP candidate and want to know more, check out these step-by-step and FAQ brochures prepared by the SmartSexResource team and the Community-Based Research Centre.
- You can reach the Fraser Health’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Infection Team at 604-476-7087 for support to link to an HIV PrEP option in your local area.
Access to PEP
- You can access HIV PEP through your local Emergency Department (within 72 hours of potential exposure as PEP needs to be started as soon as possible) across Interior Health.
If your HIV self-test result is positive
Access to HIV confirmatory testing
- Access to HIV confirmatory testing can take place:
- through a family doctor or nurse practitioner who offers services out of your community;
- at a walk-in clinic located in your community; or
- at any specialized sexual health clinic.
- Note that clinics in Fraser Health have been impacted by COVID-19; once you have located a clinic, please call ahead to ensure that that any suggested site is running an STI clinic.
- You can also call Fraser Health’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Infection Team at 604-476-7087 to get information about other sites where you can access HIV confirmatory testing. The Fraser Health team also supports partner notification services.
- If you live in or nearby Maple Ridge, you can test online through GetCheckedOnline.
- You can use Options for Sexual Health’s web-based clinic finder to locate specialized clinics, or call: 604-731-4252 or 1-800-739-7367.
HIV care and treatment
- HIV Care and Treatment can take place through a family physician or healthcare provider.
- Positive Health Services at Fraser Health offers comprehensive interdisciplinary care for people living with HIV and/or hepatitis C. A person can self-refer or be referred to Positive Health Services. You can contact them at 604-582-4581.
- A person can also be referred by a healthcare provider to the John Ruedy Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital (in Vancouver) which offers comprehensive primary care services for people living with HIV in BC.
Sexual health and other STBBI services
- Access to testing for other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) can also take place through a family physician or healthcare provider in your community, a walk-in clinic, or a specialized sexual health clinic.
- Note that clinics in Fraser Health have been impacted by COVID-19; once you have located a clinic, please call ahead to ensure that that any suggested site is running an STI clinic.
- You can also call to get information about other sites where you can test for other STBBIs. The Fraser Health team also supports partner notification services.
- If you live in or nearby Maple Ridge, you can test online through GetCheckedOnline
- You can use Options for Sexual Health’s web Fraser Health’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Infection Team at 604-476-7087 based clinic finder to locate specialized clinics, or call: 604-731-4252 or 1-800-739-7367.
Harm reduction services
- For access to harm reduction supplies and programs, use the Toward the Heart website finder to locate places offering these services in BC.
- Fraser Health’s harm reduction services can be found here.
- Or visit the BCCSU’s Drug Checking site to learn more about drug checking results and alerts in your area.
Peer navigation and community-based organizations
Peer navigators are people with lived experience who can help others learn about available services and resources for people newly diagnosed with HIV. Find out more about peer navigation support in the greater Vancouver area including Fraser Health through the AIDS Vancouver Peer Navigation Program.
To locate different community-based organizations in BC, you can visit HIV411.ca/HCV411.ca, a directory of HIV and hepatitis C services. You can also check out the Pacific AIDS Network member list.
You can connect with peer navigators who are there to help support you before, during or after HIV self-testing. You can connect with them through I’m Ready, Talk.
Please note there is also province-wide information on the BC care pathways landing page.