Prevention support clinic (PrEP & PEP)

The Prevention Support Clinic (PSC) at St. Vincent’s University Hospital is an inclusive, confidential sexual health service for individuals seeking support for STI testing and treatment or HIV prevention care including PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis).

Our team includes healthcare professionals with extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of HIV and STIs. We also provide continued monitoring and support for individuals using PrEP, including side effect tracking and regular STI screening.

What is PrEP?

PrEP is a safe, effective medication taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. It is often used alongside other risk-reduction methods like condoms.

PrEP may be suitable if you:

• Engage in condomless sex
• Have a history of STIs
• Have recently used PEP
• Use recreational drugs (chems) during sex

What is PEP?

PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis) involves taking HIV medication within 72 hours of possible exposure to reduce the risk of infection.
Only Emergency Departments can supply PEP outside of clinic hours.

For urgent clinical concerns, please contact your local out-of-hours GP or attend your nearest Emergency Department.

PrEP appointments & waiting list

Due to high demand, our PrEP service is currently at capacity. To join the waiting list, please email pscreferrals@svhg.ie with:

• First name and surname
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Phone number
• Address

We are unfortunately unable to provide a timeframe for appointment availability. This inbox is monitored by administrative staff only and cannot offer medical advice.

Your First PrEP appointment: What to expect

Your initial appointment will be a pre-clinic screening visit, where we’ll carry out:

• Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
• Blood tests for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis A, B, C and kidney function
• A discussion about HIV prevention options including PrEP, PEP, condom use and STI screening frequency

Follow-up visit plans will depend on your medical needs.

Clinic attendance & rescheduling

Due to the high demand for our services, appointments are typically scheduled 3–6 months in advance. While we understand that unexpected situations can arise, rescheduling is only possible in urgent circumstances.

We kindly ask that you make every effort to attend your scheduled appointment. Missing an appointment may result in a significant wait for the next available slot and may also impact others who are waiting to access care.

Your cooperation helps us ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from this vital service. Thank you for your understanding.

Accessing free PrEP via the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS)

To receive PrEP free of charge from community pharmacies, you must register for the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS).

Apply online: Apply for DPS

Please apply well in advance of your appointment. If your DPS number is not ready in time, you can email it to us afterward at psc@svuh.ie and we will complete your registration.

Useful resources while you wait

• Free home STI testing
• Information about PrEP clinics in Ireland
• Educational material in multiple languages:
  • English
  • Português
  • Polski
  • Español
  • Français

Contact Us

If you have questions about PrEP or PSC services:
Email: psc@svuh.ie
Phone: +353 87 115 5273
(Available Mon–Fri during working hours)