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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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cpaused,\u201d while those clinics were \u201creduced\u201d in Kemptville and Almonte. The Health Unit had advised that sexual health clinics in Kingston and Belleville might be reduced.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs integration has progressed, clinics will resume as previously scheduled beginning as early as April 7, with some service enhancements,\u201d the Health Unit stated.<\/p>\n
According to SEPH, clinics in Gananoque, Perth, and Carleton Place \u201cwill be resumed,\u201d and sexual health clinic hours in Kemptville and Almont will \u201creturn to levels they were at before the temporary service reduction.\u201d The Health Unit advised that clinic schedules can be viewed on the SEPH website<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition, the local Health Unit announced it is \u201cexpanding access to sexual health services\u201d with the introduction of new \u201cGetaKit testing depots\u201d 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 \u201ccompleted in the comfort of your home,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Kingstonist readers may recall that the previous local Public Health agency (KFL&A Public Health) offered HIV self-test kits through GetAKit in 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cGetaKit 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,\u201d said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for SEPH, in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n According to SEPH, those who want to access STBBI testing through GetaKit must first register at GetaKit.ca<\/a>, and the website will \u201crecommend 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.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GetaKit-TestKit-FromInsta.jpg\")
Photo via GetaKit on Instagram.<\/p>\n