New mobile health clinic brings primary care to Kamloops' homeless population

A new mobile health care unit started rolling around Kamloops this week bringing much-needed primary health care and harm reduction to a marginalized population, and so far its been well received by patients and the public. “It’s been really great, the public has responded well honking and waving at us and the people receiving care are very grateful,” said Brock Robinson who works in the mobile unit alongside nurse Stacey George. The 90-square-foot van is clean, organized and comfortable with a referral area and a place where clients can sit and chat. Onboard are safe supply materials, snacks and water, and numerous pamphlets explaining where to access things like free mental health counselling, dental care and free meals.  “There are resources, its just knowing they're out there and how to access them,” Robinson said. “It’s hard when you don’t have a fixed address.” The clinic is equipped with a comprehensive health record system that allows the providers to access patient’s health histories. “We have access to a nurse practitioner who can write up prescriptions,” George said. “I can send in pictures if there’s someone I feel needs antibiotics or follow up referrals, and she can send antibiotics to certain pharmacies for us. We line up a time to meet the client.” On the first day of operation, the pair saw 27 people in two hours, addressing 20 harm reduction needs and providing seven people with wound care.  Robinson said gaining the trust of clients is the first barrier they are already overcoming. “At first there is hesitation but then they hang out and talk to us and will come in. It’s tough. People won’t take in people if they show up high, in active addiction but that’s not a barrier for us.”  George said people are fetching friends to bring to the mobile clinic for care. “Sometimes its just about sitting down, having a chat, cleaning a wound a putting a dressing on. It takes five minutes. “It’s about zero judgement, we’re just there to help and don’t judge what your background is.” READ MORE: iN PHOTOS: Kamloops mourns loss of beloved Red Bridge https://infotel.ca/newsitem/in-photos-kamloops-mourns-loss-of-beloved-red-bridge/it106561 The clinic is also a safe place for people with mental health challenges to have conversations and find out how to access resources. Wound care is one of the biggest concerns the pair have been addressing so far, as those living rough find it challenging to properly look after injuries.  “What might have started as something small has now festered into something big and concerning and that’s what we’re trying to mitigate,” George said. “We work together and communicate with other agencies, street nurses and outreach nurses so someone is always taking care of it regularly.”  A big goal is take pressure off the overburdened emergency system. George said the clinic is designed to fill in the gaps and meet people who otherwise wouldn’t access care. READ MORE: Kamloops city council may pull 'public inquiries' from meetings as disruptions continue https://infotel.ca/newsitem/kamloops-city-council-may-pull-public-inquiries-from-meetings-as-disruptions-continue/it106629 Robinson has a background in community outreach work and was doing regular street outreach with Ask Wellness for the past few months. Before that he worked at a youth treatment centre and sat on the board of the former Loop resource centre. “This has given me a relationship with a lot of marginalized people because the biggest, hardest thing is trust and getting them to trust us to come into the van,” he said “They’re embarrassed, they don’t want to be seen, they feel they’re shunned, so building that connection is great.” George is a nurse with a background as a paramedic and worked at a hospice. “I’ve helped people from the streets and felt a connection to them,” she said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to get back to and had been out of it for the last few years.” READ MORE: Kamloops mental health expert raises concerns over involuntary care expansion https://infotel.ca/newsitem/kamloops-mental-health-expert-raises-concerns-over-involuntary-care-expansion/it106622 Part of the plan is to collect data on the needs, ages and backgrounds of clients to inform future decision making. The first-of-it's kind clinic in the BC Interior will be servicing Merritt every two weeks and there are plans to expand services to Penticton. The medical unit is a product of a partnership with the ASK Wellness Society and TELUS https://askwellness.ca/ask-wellness-society-and-telus-revolutionize-healthcare-access-in-kamloops-with-a-state-of-the-art-mobile-clinic/ as part of its Health for Good program and is projected to provide around 4,000 patient visits annually. The mobile health clinic operates from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m and 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at various locations around Kamloops including shelters, motels and common gathering areas for the marginalized population. To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie mailto:sainslie@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. 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