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By Amy Fendley A new SAFE satellite clinic will be operating in the Whistler/Blackcomb staff housing this winter, but exactly what the clinic will offer is still up in the air.

By Amy Fendley A new SAFE satellite clinic will be operating in the Whistler/Blackcomb staff housing this winter, but exactly what the clinic will offer is still up in the air. "There are details that have to be worked out," says Marilyn McIvor, public health nurse. "We received funding from the Whistler/Blackcomb Foundation for the Outreach Clinic because many clients at SAFE live in staff housing." SAFE (Sexual Awareness For Everyone), offers healthy sexuality counselling, testing for STDs and birth control supplies. The clinic, currently operating out of the Whistler Health Care Centre, is open one day a week for only a few hours. This has caused some problems with the quality of service the clinic is able to provide to patients. "We’ve had to ask our volunteer counsellors to limit their counselling time, because we have more people coming in. Opening another clinic might provide more comprehensive service," McIvor says. McIvor adds SAFE is grateful for the support and grants provided by the Whistler/Blackcomb Foundation and the RMOW, but more feedback from the residents of staff housing will be required in order to collaborate what is needed for the new location. "We attend most of Whistler/Blackcomb’s orientation sessions for staff and during these sessions it is described where SAFE is and how the clinic operates. This year we will be able to tell them we are located in staff housing," said McIvor. "But we really just have to wait as the residents arrive before we can say for sure what’s needed."