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Fort McMurray clinic treats homeless to a healthier future

Story by Kerri Robins; Photo courtesy of Centre of Hope

Most people will go to a doctor, or a walk-in clinic, when they seek medical help.

However, many homeless individuals do not have access to a regular family doctor, or even possess an Â鶹ӳ»­ Health Care card.

¡°Living on the street is tough and the homeless population is more susceptible to a wide range of chronic health conditions,¡± says Amanda Holloway, Executive Director of the Centre of Hope, a daytime drop-in centre for the homeless in Fort McMurray.

But no health care card means a health care bill, and the majority of this population can¡¯t afford to pay for health care.

Recognizing these health care concerns, Shell Canada stepped forward with a $1.2-million donation to the Northern Lights Health Foundation, paving the way for an Â鶹ӳ»­ Heath Services (AHS) clinic in the Centre of Hope focused on this population¡¯s needs. It opened last month.

¡°Many of our patrons suffer through treatable medical conditions rather than sit in the emergency room with people staring at them because of the way they look,¡± says Holloway.

Funding made it possible to recruit an AHS nurse practitioner for the clinic. When the nurse is off-duty, partnering outreach services use the space to rotate services; for example, for public health days and sexually transmitted infection clinics.

But there¡¯s another reason for this clinic¡¯s success.

¡°The research was unique,¡± says James Wai, Project Co-ordinator of Inner-City Health Initiative for AHS Public Health in Fort McMurray. ¡°We listened to the personal experiences of future patrons of the clinic, and their difficulties paying for prescriptions, or the inability to get to the hospital because it¡¯s too far to walk.¡±

Based on this input, a pilot project is in place allowing them to use the centre¡¯s address to get a health care card. It¡¯s part of a facilitated process that relaxes qualification requirements and forgives any outstanding health care debts.

¡±We¡¯re proud to be playing a role in changing the lives of our city¡¯s most vulnerable population,¡± says Susanne Chaffey, Executive Director, Northern Lights Health Foundation. ¡°Shell¡¯s long time support and commitment to health care has contributed to remarkable improvements to community health services.¡±

It¡¯s a sentiment Holloway echoes.

¡°Advocacy on behalf of patrons is key, and we are blessed to have so many caring staff at the clinic and partner agencies supporting our patrons,¡± says Holloway.

For more information, please visit Northern Lights Health Foundation, or call 780.791.6041.