Health Services
Increasing health problems amoung our clients require diverse levels of care.
Homeless individuals have complex health problems that encompass chronic health, mental illness and addiction issues. Providing integrated and holistic health care to clients is a critical component of sustaining and improving an individual’s health and wellness.
The DI is committed to meeting clients’ health care needs through the provision of core primary health care services premised on an integrative medicine model that assists them in addressing overall health care needs. Our health services continue to grow and expand to meet the diverse health care needs of our clients ranging from annual physicals to prescription coverage, to mental health services, palliative care and much more.
Our health team consists of 2 Physicians, 2 Registered Nurses, a medical liaison and a medical service assistant. We are supported by a variety of health care professionals who provide services on site throughout the week. These include: a specialized Wound Care Nurse, a Chronic Disease Management Nurse, a Foot Care Nurse, a Behavioral Health Consultant, a Dietician/Diabetes Educator. Referrals to any of these professionals can be arranged through contacting our medical service assistant.
Hours of Operation:
On site Nursing hours are
- Monday – Friday: 0830 – 1800,
- Tuesdays: 0930-2300
Both physicians are available for walk-ins and by appointment during variable hours Monday thru Thursday.
All medical services are provided on through the offices on the 1st floor.
Allied Health Professionals Tentative Schedule:
- Behavioral Health Consultant – Tuesdays, times to be determined
- Chronic Disease Nurse—Monday to Thursday, 0800-1600
- Wound Care Nurse—Thursdays 0900-1530
Safeworks
Safeworks is a service offered by the Alberta Health Services (AHS) that is jointly operated with the Communicable Disease Control Unit and aims to reduce the incidence of HIV for substance users and their partners through a mobile needle exchange and disposal service (CHR 12/01/2005 website).
Additionally, Safeworks is a prevention and education program focused on reducing harm related to substance abuse and other risky lifestyle choices amongst the homeless population.
These include but are not limited to:
- Harm related to HIV infection and transmission
- Harm related to Hepatitis B and C infection and transmission
- Harm related to wound infection
- To promote respectful and compassionate, nonjudgmental holistic care
- To provide service that accommodates cultural and economic needs
- To bring people and agencies together to provide the best possible information and services to clients
Hours of Operation
- Monday thru Friday from 0900 to Noon, on the first floor, office 117
Street Outreach and Stabilization (sos): NO LONGER WITH US