Patient and public resources

If you are sexually active you are at risk

There are many resources available within our Northern communities, as well as across the province. Your primary care home team, which may consist of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals, is a great resource for information about HIV and hepatitis C, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Visit our HIV and hepatitis C video channel.

To support the care teams, as well as patients who may not have a primary care home, we also have a team of professionals who are experts in HIV and HCV care – the Specialized Support Team. Please don’t hesitate to contact them – they have a wealth of knowledge that can help make navigating living with a chronic disease a bit easier.

Financial supports

It’s important to know that treatment for people living with HIV in BC is publicly funded by the Ministry of Health’s Drug Treatment Program, so you don’t have to worry about paying for the medications. Also, if you live in a rural or remote area, you don’t need to worry about having to make long trips to receive care for your HIV. You and your care provider can consult with a specialist physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or social worker over the phone or through telehealth (video chat).

Hepatitis C medications are also now covered under Special Authority, to ensure that all British Columbians are able to access the treatment they require. In order for treatment to be funded, it is important that you are registered with Fair Pharmacare

  • British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
    Provides disability case management services for Indigenous people living with a disability.
  • Disability Alliance BC
    Based in Vancouver, DABC provides support over the phone and in person with applying for Persons with Disabilities or Persons with Multiple Barriers to Employment Benefits. They can also assist people receiving these benefits with filing their income taxes, as well as providing information and referrals to other community and government resources.
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General health information
  • Aboriginal sexual health
    The Aboriginal Health Initiative, which was formed in 1993 in response to the growing recognition of the sexual and reproductive health disparity between Aboriginal people and the rest of Canada.
  • First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
    Health promotion and disease prevention for BC’s First Nations and Indigenous people. Information on wellness, traditional healing and First Nations Health Benefits.
  • First Nations, Inuit and Indigenous Health
    See what Health Canada has to offer for Indigenous People’s health and well-being.
  • Foundry
    Foundry offers health and wellness resources, services and supports for people aged 12-24, both online and through integrated centres across the province. In Northern BC, we have Foundry centres in both Prince George and Terrace, and the Foundry BC app lets young people across the region access a variety of online services.
  • Health Canada
    Wealth of information with everything from maps and statistics to food nutrition.
  • HealthLink BC (8-1-1 or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing)
    Health services, immunization schedules, or even checking your symptoms online. Health service navigators can connect you with a nurse, dietitian, exercise professional, or pharmacist.
  • Northern Health (NH)
    The local health authority for the North, also links to NH Connections bus.
  • Northern Health’s Mental Health and Substance Use services
    The program provides a wide range of programs and services to assist persons and their family experiencing difficulties with mental health and/or substance use.
  • Options for Sexual Health
    Sexual and reproductive health care information and education.
  • Scarleteen
    Geared toward young people between 15-30, education and support related to sexuality, sexual health and relationships.
  • SmartSexResource
    Provides a great sexual health resource such as where to get tested for STIs in BC. You can also use private chat or email to interact with an experienced public health nurse.
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HIV/HCV
  • Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN)
    An Indigenous organization committed to addressing the issues of HIV within an Indigenous context.
  • CATIE
    Focused on HIV and hepatitis C information. Contains library/resource centre, issue a newsletter, and offer a counselling and referral service.
  • Help4Hep (Toll-free helpline: 1-877-435-7443)
    Access a confidential peer-to-peer helpline where counselors help callers navigate everything HCV related.
  • Hepatitis C: The basics (Providence Health Services Authority)
    Access a free one hour online course that is designed to help people living with HCV manage their self-care.
  • NOHep
    A public group focused on the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.
  • Oak Tree Clinic
    Based in Vancouver, the clinic provides HIV care specifically for women throughout their lifespan. They also provide education for patients, families, health care providers and the public about the issues related to HIV in women and children
  • Pacific AIDS Network (PAN)
    PAN focuses on leading a community-based response to HIV/AIDS, HCV and related communicable diseases. They offer many opportunities for people with lived experience.
  • BC Hepatitis Network
    Find information about HCV in our province.
  • YouthCO
    Offers opportunities for youth to participate in activities that reduce stigma around HIV and HCV in BC. Includes a calendar of events.
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Local community support organizations

Northern Health supports community-based organizations across our region to provide local services and supports to people living with HIV and HCV, or who are at risk for the infection.

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Nutrition
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Contact us
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Questions?

Talk to your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or contact the HIV/HCV Specialized Support Team. If you have further questions about HIV or any other topic about your sexual health talk to a registered nurse at the BC Centre for Disease Control.

For more information about the administrative team who support chronic disease services, see the Regional Chronic Disease Program.