Share the Impact

I've received care at the clinic, including birth control. Losing access to these services would be devastating.

The removal of frequently available and low barrier to access sexual health services. As well as the privacy of not having to get it done through a doctor or more general care clinic/hospital etc., this will not only cause less people to seek out medical care for sexual health concerns, cause more people to go untested, limit a scared teenager’s or child’s options for help, among the countless other negatives for everyone in the area and ultimately it will lower the overall sexual health of the population leading to more cost and strain on the already strained medical infrastructure. No not all of this directly affects me but if you have a milligram of empathy this should concern you.

Closing clinics means people like myself that do not have a family doctor will no longer have anyone to go to for our health. I rely on these clinic to keep up to date with my sexual health, amongst other things. It is a critical part of health care to keep these clinics open.

I have been using Options for Sexual Health since I was an adolescent. Recently I had several irregular PAP tests in a row. Part of the reason for this were errors on my family practitioners part. I went to OPT full of anxiety but from my previous experiences with them I knew that they would send me for further testing if they were concerned. I went in and a nurse who had helped me many times before would be helping me. She eased my anxiety and because of her experience and expertise I got through another PAP test and where I left feeling empowered and in control of my sexual health. The folks working at these clinics are well informed and have consistently made my experience in their office feel safe and seen. Closing these facilities and resources when we are already experiencing a shortage of medical care is negligent and harmful to our community at large. We should not be taking funding away from organizations like these we should be bolstering them.

We will see a rise in unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of disease- this will impact all of us! The people most directly impacted will be those who are already marginalized and do not have the resources to travel or connect with health care workers to seek sexual health support. It is scary for my children and other young adults in my family, and I worry for them and their peers.

I am a school counsellor in a rural area near Nelson B.C. The closure is going to have profound impacts on my students and the community. Many of my students do not have access to a doctor and going to the emergency room would be the only way to get sexual health care. Furthermore, this clinic provides a safe and confidential way to access sexual health care and this is very important for teenagers who need to be able to access this resource on their own.

I work at the North Delta Public Health unit as a Public Health nurse. We frequently refer clients to options at the Health Unit. The closest youth clinic is by SMH and many older clients access options services through the North Delta location as it is within walking distance and along a major bus route. We have many clients without family doctors or family doctors that are very far away. Options for Sexual Health gives clients the opportunity to access services within their community. Given the rise in syphilis I am shocked that there is not more funding for Options. Closing clinics will also have a huge impact on on Sexual Health and Blood born pathogens team, which is already under staffed.

Options is currently the only accessible clinic in my area, as all other walk-in clinics have shut down. Without a family doctor—despite being on a waitlist for over two years—my only alternative for medical care is the emergency room, which is neither practical nor appropriate for ongoing sexual health needs. Sexual health is an essential part of overall well-being. As a woman who is at risk of pregnancy, I rely on Options to manage critical aspects of my health, including testing and treatment for UTIs and STIs, and access to contraceptive care. For example, I am currently scheduled to receive an IUD, a decision driven by the uncertainty of reproductive rights in North America, my financial limitations, and the practical challenges of raising a child if faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Without this appointment, the closure of Options clinics will leave me—and many others—navigating an overstretched healthcare system for months to obtain safe and effective contraception. Options is not just a clinic; it is a lifeline. It provides essential services that ensure individuals can take control of their reproductive health and make informed choices. Without it, the risk of unplanned pregnancies, untreated infections, and broader public health crises will rise, placing even greater strain on an already overwhelmed healthcare system. Funding Options clinics is a preventative investment in public health. These clinics provide vital, cost-effective services that protect the health and safety of individuals and our broader community. I urge you to prioritize funding for these facilities to ensure equitable access to safe, reliable sexual health care.

I will not be able to access the sexual health care in my Northern Bc remote community in Options Clinics close. This is particularly important for me as I use an IUD form of birth control - I need a competent sexual health clinic and care professionals who can provide quality IUD care including counselling, insertions, and removals.