HIV PEP information for health professionals
South Australian HIV PEP hotline 1800 022 226
The provision of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is part of an overall strategy for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in South Australia. PEP is a 28 day course of antiretroviral medications that can prevent HIV infection following an exposure to HIV.
HIV PEP must be started within 72 hours of the risk exposure and effectiveness is considered to be greater when PEP is started as soon as possible.
HIV PEP hotline
The South Australian HIV PEP hotline 1800 022 226 is available 24 hours a day to triage any member of the public who believes they may have been exposed to HIV. Calls are answered by a Registered Nurse who will conduct a risk assessment based on the information provided by the caller. Individuals who have had a significant risk exposure to HIV will be directed to the nearest HIV PEP access point.
Access points
The South Australian HIV PEP system is available through targeted primary care clinics and hospital emergency departments as HIV PEP access points.
All metropolitan Adelaide public hospital emergency departments are HIV PEP access points. In rural areas, emergency departments of key regional hospitals are HIV PEP access points.
Ordering PEP
PEP can be ordered via a written or electronic purchase request and directed to the SA Pharmacy Purchasing Officer at Flinders Medical Centre. Phone (08) 8204 5283 if further information regarding ordering is required. It is the responsibility of distribution sites to check stock expiry dates on a regular basis.
COVID-19 and HIV PEP access
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reducing the number of non-essential and non-urgent face-to-face presentations for healthcare is important. The Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) has put in place temporary measures to reduce the number of face-to-face presentations for PEP after a potential exposure to HIV.
Instead of providing a patient with a five-day HIV PEP starter pack and requiring them to arrange and then present for a follow-up appointment to access the remaining 23 days of medication, CDCB, on advice from Adelaide Sexual Health Centre, has temporarily put in place measures to provide a patient with the full 28-day supply of HIV PEP at their first presentation.
Follow-up care arrangements can then be made by telemedicine or face-to-face appointment, as deemed appropriate by the prescribing doctor and in line with the Standard Operating Procedures in the South Australian HIV PEP Management Plan.
Training for clinicians
An online training module for clinicians at PEP access point locations is available from SHINE SA. To register for the free PEP training module, please email: SHINESACourses@shinesa.org.au with your name, position and workplace.
Key documents
The South Australian PEP Management Plan should be read in conjunction with the following companion document:
Access point locations
Metropolitan area
- Adelaide Sexual Health Centre
- O’Brien Street General Practice
- SHINE SA (Hyde Street Practice and Woodville)
- Flinders Medical Centre
- Noarlunga Hospital
- Lyell McEwin Hospital
- Modbury Hospital
- Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Women's and Children's Hospital
- Sefton Park Intermediate Care
- Hindmarsh Priority Care Centre – referral required from a hospital Emergency Department or via the HIV PEP Hotline: 1800 022 226
Country SA
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
Eyre and Far North Local Health Network
Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network
- Port Augusta Hospital and Regional Health Service
- Roxby Downs Health Service
- Whyalla Hospital and Health Service
Limestone Coast Local Health Network
Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network
Yorke and Northern Local Health Network
Other regional services
- Royal Flying Doctor Service - Port Augusta Base
- Nganampa Health Council - APY Lands (Amata, Iwantja and Pukatja Clinics)
Further information
For further information on HIV PEP, contact SA Health's Communicable Disease Control Branch.