John Ruedy Clinic

When patients are initially referred to the JRC, they are assigned to one of the JRC physicians. These family physicians family physicians who are trained in the management of people living with HIV.

They may also see another physician when they need to come in without an appointment (drop-in) for urgent issues.

Our nurses can provide individualized and non-judgmental education and support services, including:

• Education on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Blood work monitoring
• Anal Pap smears
• Cervical Pap smears
• Sexual health and STI assessments and testing
• Immunizations and tuberculosis skin tests
• Wart treatment
• Wound care

We can also refer clients to a variety of in-house medical specialists. These include nephrology, dermatology, endocrinology, psychiatry, neurology, addiction medicine and infectious disease.

Social workers provide comprehensive wraparound support services and care coordination for JRC clients. These include:

• Addictions counselling
• Referrals to detox and treatment
• Adjustment and relationship counselling
• Crisis intervention
• Resource counselling, including support for housing and social assistance applications

Peer navigators are individuals living with HIV who offer education and support to those coming to the clinic. They are trained and employed through Aids Vancouver. The peer navigators co-facilitate various support groups in the JRC.

Our clinical Dietitian is available for booked appointments or drop-ins on weekdays (except Fridays). They provide nutrition education through one-on-one appointments and groups, tailored to the needs of our clients. Common nutrition themes include but are not limited to:

• Optimizing health and immune system
• Ministry nutrition benefits
• Nutrition management for high cholesterol, diabetes, bone loss or weight loss

The JRC has two hepatitis C specialist nurses. They work with infectious disease physicians to support patients going through HCV treatment. The JRC also provides hepatitis C services to people with co-infections who are not JRC patients. Services include:

• Assessing treatment readiness
• Providing treatment
• Monitoring blood work and treatment side effects

If you receive a preliminary positive test result, we can arrange a consultation with a nurse to help you get the support you need. We immediately confirm your blood work and collect other baseline blood work. We then offer you the services of a peer navigator.

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PEP medication is for people who are HIV negative and who have had a high-risk exposure to HIV. The medication is taken after being exposed. An assessment for the risk of HIV transmission should be done as soon as possible. If at risk, you will be prescribed 28 days of medication to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. If you have received a PEP 5-day starter kit, call in to book an appointment with a nurse for a medication continuation assessment.

If you think you may need PEP and it has been less than 72 hours since exposure, please go to your local emergency room. We do not offer initiation (provide the first dose) of PEP medication.

Please note we are not taking new PrEP clients at this time.

PrEP medication is for people who are HIV negative and at higher risk of becoming infected with HIV. The medication is taken before potential exposures to significantly reduce the chances of becoming HIV positive. For more information, call 604-806-9303 to speak with a nurse.

If you are already receiving PrEP and need to refill your prescription, please call 1-800-547-3622 (option 5), or 604-806-8081 for local residents, at least seven days in advance.

We provide personalized services to our Primary Health clients with complex barriers to care. Our aim is to provide proactive care and support to improve care outcomes, help patients get care easier, and make sure you keep getting the care you need.

To help with communicating with your health care team, we offer interpretation services 24-hours-a-day. Please ask your care team to place a request if you need an interpreter including a sign language interpreter.

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We offer pastoral care services to support you and your loved ones. Our professional staff, including chaplains from different faiths, are here to accompany you, provide counselling, and create spaces for reflection, prayer, and meditation.

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We strive to offer you the best and most compassionate care possible. If we succeed, please let us know. If we fall short of our goal “How you want to be treated,” please also let us know.

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