Just checking in!
Are we the right fit for you?
Who we serve?
Here at HIM, we serve gay, bisexual, queer men, and gender diverse people. If you do not identify as part of these communities, please access testing through the services listed below, which will be able to serve you better.
Our clinic is seeing an increased demand, which is impacting our capacity to provide services to the communities we are funded to serve. By keeping our services community-focused, we’re able to better support people who may not be able to access STI testing elsewhere.
BCCDC (BC Centre for Disease Control) STI Clinic – STI Testing and treatment services, Vancouver
Options for Sexual Health Clinic – STI Testing and treatment services, Vancouver
Reach Community Health Centre – STI Testing and treatment services, Vancouver
Smart Sex Resource – STI Testing and treatment services locator
Rocket Doctor – Virtual primary care doctors
FAQs
The HIM Health Centre is facing higher demand than ever before. The community we serve is facing challenges accessing testing services elsewhere. Thus, we have to ensure that gay, bisexual, queer men, and gender diverse people, and MSM can be seen at our clinic.
We still want everyone to be able to access health care and testing services. So, for folks outside of our clinic’s mandate, we will refer them to appropriate healthcare services that HIM has vetted. This referral will happen at the end of a client’s visit, to ensure that they have received the care they need but know where to go for next time.
If you’re unable to access STI testing through the alternative services we’ve provided, you have the right to raise your concerns. We encourage you to first contact the clinic or health service directly, as they may be able to help identify additional options. If you’re still unable to access the care you need, you can also submit a complaint or provide feedback to the health authority. Patient feedback helps identify gaps in access and supports ongoing improvements to health services for everyone.
PHSA: Patient Care Quality Office
VCH: Patient Care Quality Office | Vancouver Coastal Health
Fraser Region: Feedback about patient care quality
HIM Health Centre – Clinic Mandate
The HIM VCH STI Clinic team is a nurse led clinic with the support of nurses, administrative staff and physicians who focus on reducing HIV and STI Transmission by providing episodic, transitional, and on-going sexual health specialty care services to key populations. The intent is to foster a community where sexual health is upheld as a fundamental human right.
Key Population
• Gay, bisexual, queer men and other men who have sex with men—who are individuals at greatest risk for HIV as indicated by current epidemiological trends.
• Two-Spirit, Trans, and non-binary folks—who are currently under-served in STI services in Vancouver
• Primary community of care are clients who live within the Vancouver catchment area.
Services
• HIV prevention such as PrEP/PEP.
• STI testing and treatment.
• STI prevention such as doxycycline prophylaxis.
• Genital wart treatment.
• Sexual health education.
• System navigation and referrals as required.
Our Values
Integrity – We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and moral principles.
Accountability – We manage our operations and services with transparency, efficiency, and reliability.
Collaboration – We promote synergy, teamwork, and partnerships.
Equity – We foster fairness, diversity, and respect in the workplace and in our thinking.
Community and patient-focused – We improve health outcomes and bring meaningful results to patients and the broader population.
Responsiveness – We monitor epidemiology data related to new HIV diagnosis and STI trends and adjust our services to meet the evolving needs.
Cultural Safety – We provide our services in an inclusive and culturally safe manner.
Compassion – We deliver our services with empathy and compassion.
Harm Reduction – To prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of individuals by meeting them where they are, without judgement. With a focus on sexual health, we aim to minimize the risk of harm or STI infection, by providing support, resources, and education to empower individuals to make informed choices.
Sex Positive – We foster a space that affirms that consensual sexual activity is a healthy and normal part of life. We promote open, non-judgemental conversations about sex, and respect diverse expressions of sexuality. We promote an environment that is free from stigma and shame.