Clients of private Richmond Hill clinic advised to test for HIV, hepatitis

York Region is out with a warning for any clients who received specific services at a Richmond Hill health clinic, advising them to get tested for hepatitis or HIV.

A notice issued on Tuesday concerns a private clinic running out of a house at 150 Berwick Crescent, in the area of 16th Avenue and Yonge Street. Clients who had wet cupping, micro-needling or derma rolling services done between October 2015 and June 7, 2023, are being told to get tested for blood-borne infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

York Public Health says the clinic has not been properly cleaning devices used for cupping, and single-use micro-needles were reused on multiple clients.

“While the risk to clients who received wet cupping and/or micro-needling/derma rolling services is considered low, clients may have been exposed to blood-borne infections,” reads the York Region release. “Clients who received one or more of these services at this clinic should seek medical follow-up and be tested.”

The public notice was issued after investigators discovered the clinic had “inadequate client documentation practices.”

“We are not able to follow-up with clients directly,” reads the advisory.

The release says public health officials ordered the clinic to stop performing the services in question as soon as the issues were identified.

Investigators have since made multiple visits to the clinic and conducted a risk assessment. Officials are working with the business to ensure proper prevention and control practices are being followed.

The clinic will not be permitted to resume all services until “all the conditions in the order have been met.”