The Gilbert Centre is hoping its new community-based sexual health services clinic will help close the gap for some much-needed services in Barrie.
Slated to open its doors April 21, the InclusHIV Care Clinic is the first of its kind in central Ontario and will act as an essential hub supporting the city’s diverse and continuously evolving sexual health landscape.
The purpose of the clinic, explained Gerry Croteau, the centre’s executive director, is to meet the needs of some in the community that may not feel comfortable going to a conventional clinic
“Trans folks have told us they often experience issues when attempting to access medical care at a traditional walk-in clinic with being misgendered, (or) not having their name of choice respected. It’s not a nickname, it's a preferred name,” he said. “It’s very triggering and diminishes who they are and it affects their emotional and mental well-being by misgendered or having pronouns used that do not reflect who they are.”
There can also be barriers for gay men accessing services locally, Croteau added, noting some may be more comfortable doing so in a clinic that is more focused on them.
“These doctors are trained to ask appropriate questions geared to the individual and in a setting that’s less system-oriented and more laid back,” Croteau said. “We just feel this is going to offer folks another choice on where they want to seek medical attention.
"We are hoping we will meet a need for some folks — those who are homeless, sex workers and (other) marginalized individuals that might feel intimidated in a regular clinic," he added.
The clinic, which will be located at 80 Bradford St., will have two doctors on site two days a week: Wednesdays between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays between 9 a.m. until noon.
Appointments will initially be by appointment only but the goal, said Croteau, is to eventually offer a drop-in style clinic.
The doctors will be doing everything from testing for STIs, including HIV and hepatitis C, gynecological exams and offering prescriptions for PrEP — a medication that is 99 per cent effective in the prevention of HIV.
“They will do everything except in-house day surgeries,” noted Croteau.
Funding for the clinic will come mostly from money raised by the Gilbert Centre, however Croteau said a small portion is being provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
“The ministry will also supply test kits and medicine needed to treat patients (and) we have a relationship with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit where they will give us access to those meds as we need them,” he said.
For more information or to book an appointment, call 705-790-6748 or email [email protected].
