Options for Sexual Health

At the 2009 OPT Annual General Meeting, the membership unanimously approved a new mission statement for the Society.

OPT's new Mission is:

To provide comprehensive education, accurate information, support for sexual expression and reproductive choice, and confidential clinical services that help British Columbians enjoy healthy sexuality throughout life.

Since 1997 the Helen & Fred Bentley Awards for Excellence of Achievement recognize members of the Canadian Federation of Sexual Health who have shown outstanding achievement in the field of sexual and reproductive health. A first and second place award are given annually. This year's first place winner is Options for Sexual Health for our work on the Certification of Registered Nurses in Reproductive Health Practice.

Beginning November 1st, 2009, provincial government changes to scopeof practice for registered nurses in BC will permit nurses practisingin Contraceptive Management (CM) and Sexually Transmitted InfectionManagement (STIM). This allows registered nurses to perform clinical functions previously only withinthe scope of physicians or registered nurses operating under adelegation of medical function or standing/direct order.

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On Tuesday May 5th, the Kelowna branch of Options for Sexual Health held a grand opening celebration at the location of its newest clinic in West Kelowna, bringing the number of OPT clinics in the Kelowna area to three.

WontGetWeird is a network of organizations and individuals who "won't get weird' when you need to talk about your sexual health.
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HPV VACCINE CLINIC

OPT Vancouver Clinic - BC Women's Hospital

4500 Oak Street - Vancouver

Phone: (604) 731 4252

By Appointment (No referral from a family doctor required)

OPT is pleased to welcome our new Medical Director, Dr. Unjali Malhotra, who has taken over for Dr. Sylvia Makaroff as of November 1^st, 2008. Dr. Malhotra has an extensive background in women's health and her many accomplishments include pioneering the development of a third year training program in Manitoba, focused on procedural gynaecology with special interests in contraception, menstrual dysfunction, and oncology.

OPT endorses the use of an HPV vaccine as a public health measure to reduce the risks associated with the Human Papilloma Virus.

In this regard, OPT concurs with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization's statement on HPV vaccination and the Canadian Consensus guidelines on HPV

We strongly urge educators, public health organizations and other health care providers to link the HPV vaccination program to age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual health education and to other prevention programs (including currently-recommended screening programs such as PAP screening).