Sexual Health Clinics
Barwon Reproductive and Sexual Health Clinic (BRaSH)
The Barwon Reproductive and Sexual Health (BRaSH) Clinics are located at University Hospital Geelong (UHG) and Barwon Health North (BHN). The clinics are staffed by doctors and nurses with expertise in sexual health, who provide the following services for people of all ages:
- STI screening, assessment, testing and treatment
- PrEP for HIV prevention
- Contraception advice, provision and referral
- Education and advice around safer sex practices, sexuality, and sexual dysfunction
The BRaSH Clinic at UHG is also staffed by infectious disease specialists, a pharmacist, psychiatrist and an outreach worker who provide multidisciplinary clinical treatment and psychosocial support for people living with HIV.
- BRaSH at University Hospital Geelong is open on Tuesday 2.00pm – 6.30pm
- BRaSH at Barwon Health North on Thursday afternoons from 2.00pm – 6.30pm, for booked and walk in appointments.
Referral is welcome but not required.
What to expect at your visit
You will need to register at clinic reception before seeing a Doctor or Nurse (depending on the reason for your visit) who will ask you some questions about your health and with your permission may perform a physical examination. STI testing usually includes swabs (which may be self-collected), urine and a blood test.
For patients with Medicare, the BRaSH clinical service and most laboratory tests and treatments are provided free of charge. In some cases, you may need a prescription or a referral for follow up elsewhere. For Medicare ineligible patients BRaSH does not charge for the clinical service, however laboratory tests and some treatments may incur charges.
All information you provide is confidential and you have the right to refuse any aspects of the care offered.
HIV and STI
Let Them Know (partner notification)
Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Pre Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
PrEPaccessNOW (PAN)
Health Care Professionals (referral and resources and guidelines)
Australian STI Guidelines
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
Western Victoria HealthPathways
ASHM
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Antiretroviral Guidelines (HIV)
Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines
Notifiable infections:
Some sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV, are notifiable by clinicians to the Victorian Department of Health.
Please visit the Department’s Notifiable Conditions webpage for more information about which conditions are notifiable and how to complete a notification.
Patients with an STI can be directed to the Let Them Know website for guidance around informing their sexual partners, including via anonymous SMS.
Support with partner notification is available for complex cases, and can be requested as part of completing a notification to the Department of Health.
For any questions about public health management of notifiable conditions, clinicians are welcome to contact the Barwon South West Public Health Unit on (03) 4215 4000.
Other clinical services available in the region
1. Melbourne Sexual Health partner GP clinics
a. About MSHC partner GP clinics
b. Anglesea Medical
c. Kardinia Health, Belmont
2. For urgent care; if you are unable to access a GP or Sexual Health Centre
If you have symptoms you can check how urgently you require care at - https://www.staystifree.org.au/how-urgent-are-my-symptoms/
If you require urgent care, and are unable to access a GP or Sexual Health Centre, the following urgent care services are available in the region
a. Urgent Care Centres
i. Barwon Health North https://barwonhealthnorth.org.au/services/item/urgent-care-centre
ii. Lorne and Apollo Bay https://www.greatoceanroadhealth.com.au/
iii. Colac Area Health https://cah.vic.gov.au/services/urgent-care/
b. Priority Primary Care Centres (Medicare Urgent Care Clinics) https://www.health.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres,
i. Geelong Priority Primary Care Centre https://geelongppcc.com.au/
ii. Warrnambool Priority Primary Care Centre https://warrnamboolppcc.com.au/
FAQs
Referring your patient:
Referral to BRaSH may by the following:
1. Patients may present to BRaSH clinics for a booked or walk in appointment – please provide documentation of presenting issues, relevant pathology results and treatment history to the patient to take to the clinic
2. Direct referral: Fx: 03 42151366
3. Via Western Victoria Health Pathways
Last Modified: Tuesday, 23 April 2024
Barwon Reproductive and Sexual Health Clinic (BRaSH)
- University Hospital Geelong (UHG):
Tuesdays 2pm – 6.30pm (walk-in appointments available)
Outpatients, Level 3, University Hospital Geelong
(Bellarine St Entrance)
T: 0466 376 158 (nurse) 11:00 am – 6:30pm clinic days
Car Parking: Metered parking available
- Barwon Health North (BHN):
Thursdays 2pm – 6.30pm (walk-in appointments available)
155 Princes Hwy, Norlane
T: 0478 267 134 (nurse) 11:00 am – 6:30pm clinic days
Car Parking: Parking available