After reducing sexual health services in October 2025, Southeast Public Health is resuming those services and adding some others, according to the local Health Unit.

The sexual health clinic services were temporarily reduced to allow the local Public Health agency to focus on its ongoing merger, Southeast Public Health said in the fall. At the time, sexual health clinics in Gananoque, Perth, and Carleton Place were “paused,” while those clinics were “reduced” in Kemptville and Almonte. The Health Unit had advised that sexual health clinics in Kingston and Belleville might be reduced.

The decision allowed for the necessary focus on the integration of teams, systems and clinical practices following the merger, Southeast Public Health (SEPH) reported in a press release on Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026.

“As integration has progressed, clinics will resume as previously scheduled beginning as early as April 7, with some service enhancements,” the Health Unit stated.

According to SEPH, clinics in Gananoque, Perth, and Carleton Place “will be resumed,” and sexual health clinic hours in Kemptville and Almont will “return to levels they were at before the temporary service reduction.” The Health Unit advised that clinic schedules can be viewed on the SEPH website.

In addition, the local Health Unit announced it is “expanding access to sexual health services” with the introduction of new “GetaKit testing depots” across the region. According to SEPH, GetaKit provides private, low-barrier testing for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs, previously referred to as sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, and sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs). GetaKit testing can be “completed in the comfort of your home,” the Health Unit said, noting that the kit offers testing for HIV, hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, and is available to those aged 17 or older.

Photo via GetaKit on Instagram.

Kingstonist readers may recall that the previous local Public Health agency (KFL&A Public Health) offered HIV self-test kits through GetAKit in 2023.

As Southeast Public Health is launching this expanded GetaKit sexual health self-test kit option, the new testing depots will allow those seeking testing to pick up a test kit at their nearest SEPH office, as opposed to having it shipped to their home. The Health Unit stressed that the client privacy is maintained when accessing services at SEPH offices.

“GetaKit testing depots offer an extra level of privacy and convenience for individuals who cannot, or do not wish to, get their testing kit by mail,” said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for SEPH, in a statement.

“This program will enhance access to confidential sexual health testing for individuals who are unable to, or who do not wish to, access in-person testing either through a health-care provider or through public health.”

According to SEPH, those who want to access STBBI testing through GetaKit must first register at GetaKit.ca, and the website will “recommend tests based on a confidential questionnaire. For testing for gonorrhea or chlamydia, residents have the option to have a test kit and instructions shipped to their home, or to pick up a kit at a SEPH testing depot in their region. For syphilis, hepatitis C, and HIV testing, clients will be emailed a requisition for testing, which can be completed at a local lab, SEPH said, noting that Public Health nurses will then follow up with those clients who test positive.

Further information can be found on the GetaKit page on the SEPH website.