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BC region-specific care pathways: Vancouver Coastal Health

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 call to get support from Vancouver Coastal Health STOP HIV Team at 604-838-1331.
  • 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 (i.e., a daily oral HIV medication taken by people who are HIV-negative to prevent HIV infection); more information about PrEP can be found in SmartSexResource website.
  • If you are a potential HIV PrEP candidate and want to learn more, check out the step-by-step and FAQ brochures from SmartSexResource team and the Community-Based Research Centre.
  • The Health Promotion Navigators with AIDS Vancouver can provide education and prevention from a harm reduction and client centered approach for people who are at high risk of HIV infection; call 604-696-4677 (M-F 8:30 am to 5 pm).

Access to PEP

  • To find out where a person can access HIV PEP, (i.e., a 4-week course of medications that a person can take if they are HIV negative and think that they have been recently exposed to HIV), visit this BC-CfE information site. Taking PEP is time-sensitive and only works if you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours; go to the nearest Emergency Department if needed.
  • The Health Promotion Navigators with AIDS Vancouver can provide education and prevention from a harm reduction and client-centered approach for people who are at high risk of HIV infection; call 604-696-4677 (M-F 8:30 am to 5 pm).

If your HIV self-test result is positive

Access to HIV confirmatory testing

HIV care and treatment

  • HIV Care and Treatment can take place through a family physician or healthcare provider.
  • You call to get support from Vancouver Coastal Health STOP HIV Team to find out how to get connected with a provider at 604-838-1331.
  • A person can be referred by a healthcare provider to the John Ruedy Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital, which offers comprehensive primary care services for people living with HIV.
  • Specialized HIV care for women and children is available at the Oak Tree Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital; you can be referred there by a healthcare provider or self-refer.
  • AIDS Vancouver offers a peer navigation program.

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.
  • If you live in or nearby Vancouver, test online for other STBBIs through GetCheckedOnline.
  • To obtain sexual health information, you can visit Sex Sense’s website at or call 604-731-7803 or 1-800-739-7367.
  • The Health Promotion Navigators with AIDS Vancouver can provide education and prevention from a harm reduction and client-centered approach for people who are at high risk of HIV infection; call 604-696-4677 (M-F 8:30 am to 5 pm).
  • Health Initiative for Men’s Health Centres offer specialized services for gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men. Contact the Triage Line (for HIM on Davie Health Centre) at 604-786-9063, the Triage Line (for HIM on the Drive Health Centre) at 778-708-3568, or the Fraser Health Central Booking Line at 604-476-7087 to find out more about open locations and hours of operation.

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.
  • Vancouver Coastal Health’s harm reduction services can be found here.
  • Vancouver Coastal Health’s Overdose Outreach Team (OOT) can be reached at 604-360-2874 (8AM to 6PM, Monday to Sunday; phones answered 6-8pm and on weekends). The OOT team provides navigation, linkage, and support services that promote the wellbeing of people who use drugs.
  • Visit the BCCSU’s Drug Checking site to learn more about drug checking results and alerts in your area.
  • The Health Promotion Navigators with AIDS Vancouver can provide education and prevention from a harm reduction and client-centered approach for people who are at high risk of HIV infection; call 604-696-4677 (M-F 8:30 am to 5 pm).

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 Vancouver 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.