The HIV and Hepatitis C Specialized Support Team (SST) supports the people and families of those diagnosed with HIV or HCV. This support is provided in person, or by telehealth, including videolink, telephone, text, fax, or email.
You can refer yourself to the specialized support team, or you can be referred by a family doctor, specialist doctor, community agency, nurse, detox staff, or hospital staff.
- Toll-free phone number: 1-888-645-6495
- Confidential fax number: 1-844-440-4454
- Email: sst@northernhealth.ca
Services provided by the HIV and Hepatitis C Specialist Support Team (SST) include:
- Connect newly diagnosed patients to primary care (or interim medical care) or those wishing to reconnect with care, or those travelling through Prince George from outlying communities.
- Support patients to be ready for treatment, adherence, and ongoing engagement in their care.
- Advise on drug selection and side effect management, and help patients get access to HIV and/or HCV medications, including streamlining ordering, coordinating dispense frequence, and adherence aides (e.g. blister packs).
- Advocate for access to programs and support patients and clinicians in completing medical forms for income assistance, disability and tax credits, and diet supplements.
- Assess individual and family needs and establish connections with appropriate services (e.g. housing, counselling, transportation, food security).
- Coordinate and support communications between health care and service providers around complex client needs and goals.
- Connect with clients by phone, telehealth, or in person, and follow patients as they build capacity to manage their health and strengthen their connections to care.
- Assist with access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV.
Our team of health care providers includes:
- Administrative assistant
- Clinical pharmacist
- Social worker
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.