Physical and Sexual Healthcare

Primary Care Social Worker

A Primary Care Social Worker is available to support individuals experiencing difficulty navigating health and social services, changes in health conditions, dealing with abuse, neglect, self-neglect, unsafe environments, financial hardships, housing issues, or social isolation. Primary Care Social Workers are professional problem solvers who can help young people to better understand their concerns, needs, and strengths, and can help to connect young people with appropriate resources both online and in their home communities. 

Your first Physical and Sexual Health appointment is booked with a Social Worker to talk about your health/medical concern; they will ensure that the Foundry Virtual BC health care team can help with your concern or if there are other health care services (in person clinics) that are needed. The Social Worker will help you book with a Nurse Practitioner or Family Practitioner if appropriate and help you get connected to the help that is available.

Nurse Practitioners/Family Physicians

Nurse Practitioners and Family Physicians support young people with physical and sexual health care (primary care) related concerns such as sexual health (education, birth control, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing & treatment), substance use challenges (education, harm reduction, explore treatment options), medication management, gender-affirming care, mental health diagnoses, and specialized health referrals.

The physical and sexual healthcare team is a part of an interdisciplinary team that provides integrated care, including counselling, peer support services and other social supports. The physical and sexual healthcare team can specifically provide the following:
 

HORMONE CARE PLANNING: Youth between the ages of 18-23 that are requesting support with hormone care planning can access gender-affirming services through Foundry Virtual BC.

*Youth must be able to access a community healthcare provider (Family Provider (FP) /Nurse Practitioner (NP) to do ongoing regular physical assessments when needed.

MEDICATIONS: Foundry Virtual BC can support youth between the ages of 16-23 who have had hormone care planning done by a previous health care provider or are already on hormones and do not have a primary care provider/ need hormone medication refills. 

SURGERY: Youth between the ages of 18-23 who are requesting upper surgery can access gender affirming services through Foundry Virtual BC. Assessments for surgery are done on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions about whether you are eligible, please email online@foundrybc.ca Youth will need to have a referral from a primary care provider (Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner) and must have a healthcare provider in the community who can follow up with pre/post-operative care.
To learn more about gender affirming care, please visit https://www.transcarebc.ca/

Other information and requirements for healthcare appointments. Youth must be able to: 

• Provide their current Personal Health Number (either BC MSP or Interim Federal Health Coverage) 
• Confirm that they are a current resident of British Columbia. Youth must be living in BC and physically in BC when connecting with Foundry Virtual BC’s Primary Care Team. 
• Youth must have access to audio and video capabilities through a computer or smart phone device.  
• Virtual appointments must be done by video for the Hormone Readiness Assessment (HRA), care planning and initial assessment.  
• Phone calls can be used for coordination and follow-up when appropriate.   

• Compassionate, inclusive, and non-judgmental support and care.  
• A therapeutic and confidential relationship between Primary Care Clinicians and youth.  
• Individualized care and treatment that focus’ on the needs of the youth.   
• Support for your personal health and wellness goals.  
• Wrap around care in which young people’s medical care is in collaboration with other Foundry Virtual BC service providers.

Currently, we are unable to provide long term medical care as Family Physicians through Foundry Virtual BC. 

We always encourage you to access your Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner whom you have an existing relationship with, first! As they know you best, they are more likely to be able to provide the care you need. We understand that there are times when it makes sense to connect with our virtual services team. If you do not have access to a Family Physician or are looking for more specialized support with mental health & sexual health questions, please reach out to our team!  
 
If you feel that you are in crisis, please call 911 or go to your local emergency department.  If you do not have a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or cannot get an appointment with your care provider that day, you can visit your local Urgent Primary Care Centre. For more information around support serivices, please visit Foundry’s get support webpage.  

To contact a registered nurse for health advice, call 8-1-1. 
 

Most illnesses and conditions that can be seen in a doctor’s office can be supported through our virtual care services. Exceptions to this include the following: Height, weight, acute physical conditions, and emergent psychiatric conditions.  We will work with youth to explore options for in-person health care needs.