Women’s sexual health services expanding beyond Charlottetown and Summerside

Women’s wellness and sexual health services are expanding to rural communities.

Community-based services are now available in Souris, O’Leary and Alberton in addition to Charlottetown and Summerside. Islanders can access the services without referral by calling the Women’s Wellness Program toll-free at 1-844-3658258 to make an appointment.

Services offered at all locations include sexual health services for all genders: contraception counseling; prescribing and follow-up; IUD insertions; pre-natal care for women without a primary care provider; perinatal and postpartum mental health support; pregnancy loss support and menopause care for women without a primary care provider.

Through the Women’s Wellness Program, Health P.E.I. is also making the drug mifegymiso available for early term medical abortions as per Health Canada’s approved use of the drug.

“We’ve taken the time to explore how best to offer mifegymiso for medical abortions, ensuring that women are fully supported with counselling services and follow-up care,” said wellness program manager Rachelle Pike.

Costs for mifegymiso will be covered when accessed through the Women’s Wellness Centre at Prince County Hospital.

Additional community-based services will be introduced over the coming months, including infertility support (information, navigation and co-ordination of fertility services). Health P.E.I. is also looking to further expand services to other communities across the province.

“Women should have as many options as possible when facing a difficult time in their lives, which is why we fully support steps taken to roll out access to the medical abortion pill in P.E.I.,” said Jillian Kilfoil, executive director of Women’s Network PEI.

Preliminary site preparation work is now underway at Prince County Hospital to accommodate an expansion of its ambulatory care centre that will include the new dedicated Women’s Wellness Centre.

The Women’s Wellness Program is providing personcentered care for Island women in need of specialized reproductive and sexual health services, said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson.

“By expanding access to this program into communities like O’Leary, Alberton and Souris, we are better meeting the needs of rural Island women seeking safe, confidential, supportive health services in their local community.”

“This is a significant step forward in providing important and enhanced health care options for Island women and ensuring women’s equality rights in our province,” added Paula Biggar, minister responsible for the Status of Women.