Island Sexual Health Society

What a beautiful office and what wonderful front clinic staff. They are kind and efficient. One day they couldn’t return my call because of several staff members being ill. The next morning, they apologized profusely even through they didn’t have to.

My doctor, who originally worked in Sidney kept me as a patient when he moved to the sexual health clinic.

My doctor is quick to order different types of tests and has referred me to some pretty decent specialists. He has discovered new issues.

On a Sunday morning, he has called with blood test results. Because of my disability, it is sometimes easier to have phone or video appointments. He monitors the most important aspects of my health. He takes my suggestions seriously and is empathic.

Since moving from Manitoba, I am grateful that I have had two good physicians; my former physician Dr. Ackerman and now Dr. O’Keefe at the sexual health clinic.

Giving anything less than five stars would not be appropriate, as the staff are wonderful, and the service is great. But trying to get through to anyone on the phone has been a very challenging experience. I have called countless times, and all lines are always busy. There’s no option to wait, or to leave a message. I don’t have a huge inquiry, I just need to let them know that my prescription never sent through to my pharmacy. But I can’t tell anyone that, and so I just don’t have my medication. Tried the text line, hoping someone answers eventually. I know they’re trying their best, but it is a little frustrating, as I cannot easily get to the clinic. I do not need my medication urgently, but if someone did, I could see this being very troublesome for them.

Knowledgeable and professional female staff. A great resource for women's healing and health.

I had an IUD removed and new one inserted with Dr. Lara Eaton in Nov. 2022 and it was a terrible experience. When I made the appointment, I was direct with reception, asking if they accept people without a healthcare card (I was in BC when the pandemic started and the government extended my visa due to the pandemic, so I was there legally). They said yes, but that I may or may not have to pay a fee. That was fine with me and I booked the appointment, as my IUD had expired. During the appointment, when Dr. Eaton found out I didn’t have a healthcare card, she said, “Well I don’t know what happened. You’re basically getting this for free. I guess you somehow snuck in. ” I felt that I could not correct her or stand up for myself, because I was on a table naked from the waist down with my new $425 IUD already open on the counter. Getting an IUD placed is invasive and traumatic enough, I didn’t want to risk getting into an altercation with the person doing the procedure, especially since she was already shaming me. Then she didn’t treat me with good standard of care. I asked her if there were any specific side effects I should be ready for and she said, “it could be anything - it’s hormones, ” flippantly. I asked her about freezing my cervix (because when I asked reception upon making the appointment they said it was included), and she said they don’t really do that for this procedure. I tried to ask her other questions and then I just decided to stay quiet because her responses were short and uncaring. Standard of care for IUD placement at this facility (that I read in the paperwork they gave me) is that you make a follow up appointment with them, which she did not suggest or offer (or even suggest for me to go somewhere where I could pay out of pocket to have it done). Overall, she wasn’t happy I was there and I felt that deeply in the treatment I received.
I left, got into my car, and cried. It was traumatic to feel so emotionally unsafe, uncared for, and dismissed while having such an intimate, invasive, and painful procedure.

I've had IUD removal and insertion here and both times it went super smoothly and both the receptionists and the doctor were incredibly kind, professional, and straightforward. I am really grateful for the quality of their work and communication!

I went in to get an IUD removed and a new one put in. The doctor, Dr. Michael Smith, told me he would be freezing my cervix when I was in the room but he did not. After taking my IUD out he was unable to get my new one in. He tried for a long time and did not explain what was happening or why it was taking so long and was so painful. There was a lot of blood and I was not being told what was going on. After he was finished he told me that he "Beat my cervix up" and gave me no option for birth control in between. I was suggested to go to Vancouver island women's clinic that I could not get into for over 6 weeks and I was not told what to do or how I would feel after the IUD. I am shocked and scarred from this experience and am now without birth control and having horrible symptoms over 2 weeks later.

All of the staff that I have interacted with at ISH were incredible and respectful. I never feel rushed. The most welcoming place! Thank you for the great work folks!

Fantastic care by all staff from administration to physician. Clear communication and very considerate. Thank you!

I love ISH. They have been such a positive facet in my personal health journey. From front of house staff, Dr. Bowen, and literally just any person I have interacted with there (which I do at least every three months or so, typically), it is easy to say that by far, my experiences here have been the most positive I've ever had in health care.

I noticed most negative reviews are in regards to phone and over-all waiting times. While I have had these experiences too, it has been nothing but a positive health care experience for me once I've been able to recieve them. I don't see this fault as a lack of care or how they even want to operate - I see it as a larger, underfunded health care issue. I would recommend this place to anyone, and feel that they genuinely care and put so much compassion in to what they do.

Been going here for years. Until recently always had a good experience. Young, female doctor not up to date with Menopause education and treatment. Won’t be returning. Thankfully I found a Telus Health doc who who had knowledge and compassion.