A second mobile health clinic has launched in Greater Victoria to help give people experiencing homelessness access to health care.
The clinic is being offered in partnership with Telus Health and the Victoria Cool Aid Society.
The first clinic launched in 2018, and has had more than 14,000 patient encounters since then, according to Telus Health.
“Bringing a second mobile clinic to the capital region further expands our community health centre model of care and provides services for those who experience barriers to accessing health care,” Mary Chudley, director of health and support services at Cool Aid said in a news release.
“Many individuals, including those who are under-housed or experiencing homelessness, have not had access to primary care in years or do not have a documented medical history that can be referenced by healthcare practitioners.”
The Cool Aid Society posts a schedule of where the clinics will be each day to its website.
“Through our longstanding partnership with the Victoria Cool Aid Society, we are continuing to remove many of the barriers facing underserved and marginalized populations in Victoria by providing access to primary healthcare, mental wellness and addiction support services,” Jill Schnarr, chief social innovation and communications officer with Telus said in a news release.
“By combining technology with human compassion, we are bringing healthcare directly to the communities and people who need it most, reminding our fellow citizens that they’re not alone and helping create a friendlier future for all.”
The clinic is staffed by physicians that specialize in addictions medicine, registered nurses with certified practice, health outreach workers and peer workers.
It offers a range of services including primary health care, specialized support services for sex workers, and administrative aid.
Laura Brougham
