University O-Week events, walk-in clinics on the list of organisations where ultrasound probe covers may have been incorrectly handed out as condoms
Chekmate lubricated probe covers were mistakenly handed out as condoms by Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT, including in Condom Box Packs. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson)
In short:
Ultrasound probe covers may have mistakenly been given out as condoms by a Canberra sexual health organisation at more venues than originally thought.
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT says they may have been distributed at up to 20 organisations, including walk-in centres, along with five colleges.
What's next?
The organisation urges anyone who has received products from it since January to dispose of them, and contact their GP if they may have used one.
As many as 20 organisations are thought to be affected by a mistake at a Canberra sexual health clinic, which saw ultrasound probe covers mistakenly handed out as condoms.
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) issued a product recall on Thursday with a warning to discard any condom packs supplied by them in the past six months.
An unknown number of condoms distributed by the clinic since January 2024 were instead "lubricated probe covers" for medical ultrasound equipment.
The ACT Education Directorate confirmed yesterday that SHFPACT had delivered sexual health programs at five public colleges this year, in which condom packs were given out.
But SHFPACT CEO Tracey Hall said today that the condoms may have also been handed out at walk-in centres, university O-Week events and to "numerous other agencies".
SHFPACT CEO Tracey Hall says the probe covers should not be used as condoms. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson)
SHFPACT CEO Tracey Hall said one major event SHFPACT supports is National Condom Day on 14 February — a promotional event that includes branded condom packs handed out with red roses.
"So the product may possibly have been given to people on that event, the 14th of February," Ms Hall said.
"[And] there's been a number of events since then, O-week at various universities, and obviously the school events."
Ms Hall said the organisation also distributes condom packs across the territory through government and community partnerships which may have been affected.
"There's about 15 to 20, all of the walk-in centres and numerous other agencies,"she said.
SHFPACT declined to provide the ABC with a full list of these agencies, organisations or events.
Chekmate lubricated probe covers were mistakenly handed out as condoms by Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson)
SHFPACT took steps to resolve issue 'from the moment we noticed'
The organisation doesn't yet know how many of the probe covers have been incorrectly distributed, or how the error occurred.
Ms Hall said the devices are not designed to be condoms, and should not be used as such.
"Please do not use any products provided to you by SHFPACT since January this year," said Ms Hall.
"If any member of the community believes they may have used one of these products, we absolutely advise them to either contact SHFPACT or their GP as soon as possible."
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT will conduct an investigation into how the error occured. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson)
Ms Hall said SHFPACT staff first realised there was a problem on Wednesday, and issued a product recall the following day.
An investigation will be conducted to establish how the error was made.
"All I can say is, from the moment we noticed, we've absolutely been stepping through the steps to resolve this," Ms Hall said.
"We absolutely understand the severity of this, and we're committed to resolving the issue as quickly and as transparently as we can."
Canberra-based LGBTIQA+ community organisation Meridian, which also supplies condoms around the territory, said it took the issue seriously.
In a statement Meridian said, as a long-standing partner agency, it was assisting SHFPACT in its response to the error.
"Condoms and safe sex products packed and distributed by Meridian are not impacted and remain available,"it said.
Meridian also said free condoms and lubricant can be accessed at Canberra Sexual Health Centre at the Canberra Hospital; Community Health Centres in Belconnen, Dickson, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden; and Canberra Health Services Walk-In Centres in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden.
Canberra Health Services (CHS) have removed over 800 condoms supplied by SHFPACT in their community health centres "as an abundance of caution".
"None of them were identified as ultrasound probe covers,"CHS said.
"Some left over SHFPACT supplied condoms from a Valentines Day Roses event were found in a storeroom and have been disposed of."
CHS Walk-in Centre teams have not identified any current stock of condom packs supplied from SHFPACT.
Anyone who thinks they may have already used the incorrect product is advised to contact SHFPACT or their GP.