Options for Sexual Health has provided sexual and reproductive care since 1961
An organization that has provided British Columbians with sexual and reproductive care for over 60 years says it will be forced to close most of its clinics next year without an influx of provincial funding.
Options for Sexual Health operates 52 clinics in B.C. that it says over 14,000 people visit annually. It offers contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection testing, cervical screenings, and consultations about pregnancies and abortions.
Kaye Hare, president of Options’ board of directors, says the service is vital, especially in small communities.
“I think it’s incredibly important care, and this is care that impacts quite literally everybody in the province, especially our youth and vulnerable populations.”
But in a Dec. 12 statement, Options’ board said it would likely close most of its clinics in 2025 without financial assistance. Options receives 84 per cent of its core funding from the Provincial Health Services Authority, with the remainder coming from donations, grants and fundraising.
Hare said the core funding amount it receives has not increased for the last 12 years. It operates on a tight budget — a spokesperson for Options said its staff are paid lower than market rates, and that its registered nurses make approximately 35 per cent less than what their union rate would be at a public facility.
Since 2022, Options has shut down seven clinics in the last seven years. Hare said some of those closures were due to staffing and location challenges
But seven other clinics are closed
B.C. sexual health group says it will close clinics without funding increase
